Juan Soto Lands on Injured List, Adding to Mets’ Struggles This Season

In a tough blow for the New York Mets, outfielder Juan Soto has been placed on the injured list due to a calf strain, with expectations that he will be sidelined for several weeks. The news comes after Soto was removed from Friday’s game, which has left the team grappling with yet another setback in what has been a challenging season.

Interim manager Andy Green addressed the situation during a press conference, acknowledging that Soto’s condition has worsened compared to earlier in the season when he missed 15 games with a similar injury in his other calf. “This last week, we gave him at-bats, we gave him rest at times when we felt it appropriate and then yesterday he couldn’t get over the hump,” Green explained. He added, “So is it possible we could have looked back and thought we could have moved a little bit quick on this given where we’re at today? Yes. I don’t know that ultimately changes the situation we’re in right now. I respect somebody who’s trying to get on the field and play through things.”

Soto, 27, is in the second year of his historic $765 million contract with the Mets and has been the team’s only All-Star this season. Currently, he leads the National League in on-base percentage at .408 and OPS at .947, underscoring his importance to the team.

As the Mets sit at 43-61, firmly in last place in the NL East, the prospect of missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year looms large. This follows their run to the National League Championship Series in 2024, leaving fans frustrated with the current trajectory.

With Soto out of the lineup, the Mets are expected to turn to an outfield consisting of A.J. Ewing, Luis Robert Jr., and Carson Benge. However, Robert remains a prime candidate for a trade ahead of the August 3 deadline, as the team continues to face challenges on multiple fronts.

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