The New York Mets expect to activate outfielder Juan Soto from the injured list before Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins. Soto has missed 15 games after straining his right calf on April 3. Manager Carlos Mendoza emphasized that while Soto's return helps, the team must rely on the full roster amid an 11-game losing streak.
NEW YORK -- Juan Soto's calf injury contributed to the Mets' struggles, though not solely responsible for their 11-game skid. The team went 3-11 without him after starting 4-4, dropping to 7-15, the worst record in the National League. Before the injury, Soto hit .355/.412/.516 with a homer and two doubles in eight games, and he still leads Mets position players in WAR. The Mets averaged 4.38 runs per game with Soto but just 2.64 without him, scoring two or fewer runs nine times in 14 games sans the slugger. Relievers like Carson Benge, Jared Young and MJ Melendez filled in during his absence. Soto prepared without minor-league rehab, facing live pitching at Citi Field and completing base-running and defensive drills Tuesday. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said, “It definitely helps, but we cannot put all the pressure on one player. Yes, his presence in the lineup, nobody’s going to deny that. But putting all the pressure on, ‘Oh, we’re going to have Juan Soto, all of a sudden you start winning,’ that’s not fair for him either. You just have to trust each other. You just have to stay together. But adding him to the lineup will definitely help.” In his 2025 debut season with the Mets, Soto played 160 games, leading the NL with 38 stolen bases and MLB with 127 walks alongside 43 homers, finishing third in NL MVP voting after signing a 15-year, $756 million deal in December 2024. The Mets plan a cautious ramp-up, using him as designated hitter in at least one of every back-to-back games initially before regular left-field starts. A roster move is needed; options include optioning catcher Hayden Senger to Triple-A Syracuse or releasing veteran Tommy Pham, who is 0-for-8 since joining.
