Lindor, the Mets’ veteran leader and perennial All-Star, is being evaluated for a stress reaction in his left hamate bone after experiencing soreness that has been “on and off” for a couple of years. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has expressed optimism that even if surgery is needed (with a typical six-week recovery), Lindor could still be ready for Opening Day. Carroll, the dynamic 2023 NL Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star, suffered a full break in his right hamate during live batting practice and is undergoing surgery, ruling him out of the World Baseball Classic and putting his Opening Day status in serious doubt. Holliday, the Orioles’ highly touted young infielder (the No. 1 overall pick in 2022), fractured his right hamate during batting practice last week and will have surgery, with the team confirming he will miss Opening Day and likely several weeks into the regular season.
This trio of cases has turned heads around the league, with experts like ESPN’s Jeff Passan noting that while the initial recovery from hamate surgery is often straightforward (typically 4-6 weeks), hitters frequently report that their power and swing strength take months to fully return. It’s not a soft-tissue issue with unpredictable timelines—it’s a bone problem with a more defined path, but lingering effects can make it feel like a longer setback.
If you’re not a hand anatomy expert (and most of us aren’t), the hamate bone might sound obscure—but it’s a small but important player in your wrist and hand. The wrist has eight small carpal bones, and the hamate is one on the pinky side of the palm. It has a distinctive hook-shaped protrusion (called the “hook of the hamate”) that sticks out toward the palm.
In baseball, this bone is vulnerable because of how hitters grip and swing the bat. The butt end (knob) of the bat presses repeatedly into the heel of the hand near the pinky during swings—especially powerful ones or when the bat twists on contact. Over time, or with a sudden awkward swing, this pressure can cause a stress reaction (like pre-fracture inflammation and weakening) or a full fracture, often of the hook itself.
Symptoms include pain and swelling on the pinky side of the palm or wrist, trouble gripping a bat firmly, and sometimes numbness if nerves are irritated. It’s one of the more common hand/wrist injuries in baseball (and sports like golf or tennis too) because of that repetitive bat-knob compression.
Treatment usually involves rest for minor cases, but fractures often require surgery to remove the broken hook or stabilize the bone. Recovery means wearing a cast or splint initially, then gradual rehab to regain strength and range of motion. Players can often return in 4-8 weeks, but as noted with these stars, getting back to full power—crucial for home runs and hard hits—can take longer.
For the Mets, Diamondbacks, and Orioles, these injuries are a tough early blow. Lindor anchors the Mets’ lineup, Carroll brings speed and pop to Arizona’s offense, and Holliday is a key piece of Baltimore’s young core. Teams will rely on depth and adjustments in spring training, but fans hope these players heal cleanly and return strong soon after Opening Day.
Baseball’s grind is real, and sometimes even small bones can cause big headaches. Here’s to a smooth recovery for Lindor, Carroll, and Holliday—and a great 2026 season ahead.
