heres the story, I'll try to keep it somewhat short
-CEL came on unprovoked
-Misfire codes on all cylinders and random misfire
-Changed the oil, spark plugs, put redline into a full tank.
-After the tank was empty, CEL turned off
-Decided to vtec to try to trigger the light, sure enough it came back.
-Compression test: 190, 190, 179, 190. Evenly low :/
-Pulled injectors to be cleaned, shop said 3 of the filter baskets were broken/torn and would need to order new baskets, would take a few days and that it would be fine to run without until I can get some, had no choice, it's my only car and I have to get to work.
-installed clean injectors, cleared the code, vtec'd 4 times and code has not returned. Yet.

Should I even bother with putting the baskets back in or just leave it? I heard some cars don't even bother with them.

 

Yes - replace the injector filters. Why take the chance of clogging your injectors should it get past the fuel filter??

Did your mechanic state whether there was any debris clogging the injectors? If not, I would expect your CEL to return. If the mesh screen was simply broken, I wouldn't think that would cause any fuel flow degradation considering the system is pressurized around 55psi.