The New York Mets received some relieving news Monday when an MRI on star shortstop Francisco Lindor's back came back clean.

Lindor told reporters that he "should be back" before the end of the season and that the "best-case scenario" would be a return during the Mets' series against the Washington Nationals, which runs Monday through Wednesday.

The Mets are in a dead heat with the Atlanta Braves for the final wild card in the National League. They entered Monday tied at 81-68, though the Mets have been cooling off with three losses in their past five games following a red-hot run in late August and early September.

Lindor departed Friday's game due to lower back pain and sat out Saturday for his first missed game of the season. He attempted to play on Sunday and singled to lead off the game, but his movement was limited while fielding a grounder in the bottom of the first.

Lindor asked to be replaced at the end of the inning. When the Mets took the field in the bottom of the second inning, Luisangel Acuna went out to play shortstop.

The 30-year-old said he's been experiencing back pain for two weeks. He is batting .271 with 31 homers, a team-high 86 RBIs and 27 steals in 148 games.