Francisco Lindor said he prayed Monday before he received imaging on his lower back and was thankful those prayers were answered. The Mets shortstop wont immediately return to the lineup, but he expects to Greg Vaughn Jersey play again this season after he received a clean MRI result. Lindor said his timetable for return is 3-5 days, but if his back reacts quickly that time frame could be shortened by a day. Francisco Lindor could be back in the Mets lineup within a matter of days. JASON SZENES/NEW YORK POST The Mets on the schedule as they arrived at Citi Field on Monday. The best-case scenario would be playing against the Nationals, Lindor said of the three-game series that began Monday night. But I dont know how realistic that is. We will see how I react [Tuesday] and if the trainers allow me to move. I am going to force their hands, but I respect their decision and the way they go about things. Explore More Lindor, with his back barking, mi sed his first game of the season on Saturday in Philadelphia. He returned to the starting lineup a day later, but after he struggled running to first base and fielding his position. The back has bothered Lindor for over a week, but he said he aggravated it running the bases Friday night, when he was tagged out after overrunning second base on a double. Mets Francisco Lindor rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run. AP Lindor departed the game in the seventh inning. Manager Carlos Mendoza said he feared for the worst as Lindor prepared for his MRI exam. For Lindor to not be in the lineup [Saturday] and then be in the lineup and come out of the game after one inning, that is pretty tough because I know how hard and how tough this guy is, Mendoza said. Jose Iglesias started at shortstop on Monday, with Eddy Alvarez at second base. Luisangel Acuna had over the weekend with Lindor hurting. Lindor said an injection was discu sed to manage his pain, but he opted for oral painkillers. I am expecting [discomfort] to last the rest of the year, but its going to be manageable, Lindor said. I think its going to be [Tuesday] I wake up sore, but not as bad and its going to be something like that the rest of the year. Mets shortstop Luisangel Acua plays on the field against the Philadelphia Phillies. JASON SZENES/NEW YORK POST Lindor was asked if its po sible the back worsened because he tried to play Sunday. I dont think so, because I felt fine, I felt good, Lindor said. And it wasnt like a freak accident, where it just felt like, Oh, I reinjured it. It just got tight on me so I dont think [Sundays] situation put me back, I just felt like I could play through it and the next thing you know I didnt feel comfortable enough to stay on the field. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! When I cant do what I love the most, which is play great defense, thats when I saw something. I was a little timid on the ground balls. The Mets began the day tied with Atlanta for the NLs third wild card, and Mendoza didnt want his team losing sight of the big picture with their MVP candidate sidelined. It will be strange, but nobody is going to feel sorry for us and thats the me sage in talking to the players, Mendoza said. People are going to have to continue to step up we have done it the whole year. The good news is hes going to be back, but in the meantime we just cant sit here and wait until he gets back. We have got to take care of busine s. Jake Bauers Jersey