New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor verbally attacked teammate Jeff McNeil following a defensive lapse that contributed to the team's seventh straight loss June 20 against the Philadelphia Phillies, The New York Post's Mike Puma reports.
"A play didn't get made and that pissed (Lindor) off," a source who was nearby the confrontation told Puma.
The incident reportedly led to a tense standoff between the two, although there's no evidence to show it escalated into a physical altercation.
This isn't the first time Lindor and McNeil have had their differences in five seasons as Mets teammates. Lindor reportedly grabbed McNeil by the throat and pinned him against a wall in the tunnel behind the Mets dugout in 2021 after the two middle infielders argued about a defensive play that wasn't made. The incident was infamously played off as a disagreement over whether McNeil saw a rat or a racoon in the tunnel.
The days of Lindor and McNeil making up the Mets' middle infield is likely over, though. New York recently acquired two-time Gold Glove second baseman Marcus Semien from the Texas Rangers in exchange for outfielder Brandon Nimmo. The deal is expected to move McNeil to the outfield on a full-time basis if he remains with the organization.
McNeil has two years left on his contract with a club option for 2027. He hit .243 with 12 home runs and 54 RBIs last season.
Lindor has six more seasons left on his contract and finished top 10 in NL MVP voting for the fourth consecutive campaign in 2025.
