Juan Soto left yesterday’s 10-3 Mets win over the Giants with what the team described as right calf tightness. Manager Carlos Mendoza told the New York Post’s Mike Puma and other reporters postgame that Soto will undergo an MRI today to determine the extent of the injury.
Soto lasted just a half-inning into Friday’s game, as he picked up the injury while advancing from first to third on a Bo Bichette single in the first inning. Soto was retired on a force play at the plate later in the frame, and Tyrone Taylor took over for Soto in left field for the bottom half of the first.
Over 34 plate appearances, Soto has hit .355/.412/.516 with one home run in the early stages of the 2026 campaign. The superstar’s hot start has been a bright spot within an inconsistent Mets offense — beyond yesterday’s rout of the Giants and an 11-7 win over the Pirates on Opening Day, New York has scored only 14 runs over its other six games.
Needless to say, losing Soto for any amount of time would be a rough break for the Mets’ lineup. Brett Baty would likely get the bulk of playing time in left field if Soto is sidelined, with Taylor providing some platoon cover apart from his usual fourth-outfielder duties. Jorge Polanco has been limited mostly to DH duty due to his bothersome left Achilles, so Mark Vientos (who is also off to a hot start in limited playing time) would see more action at first base if Baty is needed more regularly in left field.
Soto’s durability is an underrated aspect of his standing as one of baseball’s best players. Over the 2021-25 seasons, Soto played in 783 of a possible 810 games, and he hasn’t been on the injured list since 2021 (when he missed two weeks with a left shoulder strain). The MRI results will determine whether or not this streak of good health will continue, though even if the tests are negative, the Mets could opt to give Soto a 10-day IL stint just as a precaution in order to let him fully heal up.
As if the offense wasn’t weird enough…
A Sith Lord?
That Force play proves it.
Followed by the Solo homer.
“Force play at the plate” = the front end of a 1-2-3 double play.
Soto wont be gone more the minimum. Hes tough n heals like wolverine
???? How would you know this if he’s almost never been seriously injured???
And you don’t even know what the injury is yet. There are some injuries from which no one comes back in just 10 days.
Every player is injured, just not enough to not play. So the fact that he plays a lot indicates his toughness. You think Cal Ripken Jr. felt great every game?
He’s been consistently healthy in his career so hopefully it’s just a 15-day IL stint.
Agreed but it’s time to call on Chico Escuela to save the season.
Soto will be fine. He is a gamer
At least he was before he signed that 15 year contract!
“Before he signed”…Look at Rendon & Bryant before & after results & numbers to get an idea of where Soto may be headed.
Yeah, because all baseball players are the same.
Just as long as he’s not a gambler.
He’s slowly heading towards Stantonville. He’ll be a DH by 2028.
“DH by 2028″…Soto was already a defensively challenged DH in 2022. Playing him out of place in an OF position doesn’t really change all that.
MLB fan.
You know it’s bad when he’s defensively challenged as a DH.
/s
He wishes. Stanton had to work at being a DH and was much more comfortable/focused when he played the field. Not everyone can make the transition to DH and anyone who does it as well as Stanton should count themselves lucky.
That will be the most expensive IL list ever.
In other news, studies have shown that Humans often display hatred and negativity as a defensive mechanism against perceived threats, rooted in fear, insecurity, or a need to control their environment. This behavior acts as a coping mechanism for vulnerability, where negativity masks deep-seated anxiety, envy, or personal dissatisfaction.
Ones reality is in one’s own mind.
“In other news”…Jimmy…Jimmy Kimmel is that you?
@mlb fan…
😉
Hopefully Soto isn’t out too long. I don’t want my little brother to argue thats the reason the Mets miss the playoffs.
Your little brother would say the phrase that pays. Last time I used it here on MLBTR, the comment got flagged for review.