Juan Soto Exits Game Early with Calf Tightness, MRI Scheduled for Today

In a season filled with challenges, the Mets faced another setback during their series opener against the Dodgers at Citi Field. Star outfielder Juan Soto was pulled from the game after just two plate appearances due to left calf tightness. The team announced that Soto will undergo an MRI today, and interim manager Andy Green indicated that there’s a possibility he may land on the injured list.

This isn’t the first time Soto has dealt with calf issues this season. Back in early April, he suffered a right calf injury that sidelined him for three weeks. Ironically, on the day Soto returned, fellow teammate Francisco Lindor sustained his own calf injury, which ultimately kept him out for two months. The absence of both players for significant stretches has underscored a frustrating season for the Mets, who had hoped for a more robust performance from their two best position players. Coming into the season, they were regarded as among the most durable in the sport, yet their time on the field together has been alarmingly limited. By late July, they have managed to combine for just 3.7 fWAR and 3.4 bWAR, a stark contrast to expectations of 11-12 WAR had they remained healthy.

When healthy, Soto has showcased his elite hitting skills, leading the National League with a batting line of .283/.408/.539 over 359 plate appearances, along with an impressive 159 wRC+. At this point in the season, only two hitters in the American League—Yordan Alvarez and Ben Rice—have surpassed him in wRC+. The Mets will be anxiously awaiting the results of Soto’s MRI, hoping for good news as they navigate through a tumultuous season.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.