PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Francisco Lindor has accepted Steve Cohen's decision to avoid naming a team captain during his ownership of the New York Mets. The five-time All-Star shortstop, entering his sixth season with the team, told MLB.com he respects the owner's stance on the matter.

Cohen made his position clear during his first spring training meeting with reporters, stating that his preference is to let the locker room sort itself out each year rather than having a designated captain. The owner characterized the clubhouse as unique and believes that having a captain in baseball is unusual, noting that it doesn't happen often in the sport.

The Mets have had only four captains in franchise history: Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, John Franco, and David Wright. Lindor, long considered one of the team's leaders, is currently rehabbing from surgery to repair a broken hamate bone in his left hand, which could impact his availability for the start of the season.