Baez (back) is out of the lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Nationals.
Baez hasn't started since Sunday while he continues to manage lower-back tightness, but his usage as a pinch hitter off the bench Wednesday in the resumption of Tuesday's suspended game implies that the Mets are optimistic he'll avoid the injured list. Jonathan Villar will once again fill in at shortstop for Baez, who will hope to return to the lineup for Friday's series opener versus the Dodgers.