Juan Soto to undergo MRI on troublesome left calf

The Mets can’t seem to catch a break. Soto winds up requiring a trip to the injured list with a left calf issue for the second time this season after suffering the injury during Friday’s showdown against the Dodgers. New York’s interim skipper Andy Green told reporters Soto has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain that will keep him out for at least three weeks, if not longer. Simply put, fantasy managers shouldn’t expect him back until at least mid-to-late August or early September. The 27-year-old generational talent has put together another borderline elite fantasy campaign, slashing .283/.408/.539 with 46 runs scored, 21 homers, 52 RBI and seven steals in 359 plate appearances through 84 games. His absence kicks the door wide open for rookie A.J. Ewing to play everyday in left field.

Soto has been dealing with the issue since the beginning of the second half. He’s again likely day-to-day. If he plays again this weekend, it’d probably be as a DH, meaning there wouldn’t be a spot for Jorge Polanco in the lineup.

Perhaps this has something to do with his troublesome calf? It was a 1-1 game, so it certainly wasn’t score related. Soto, who started at DH, walked twice before being replaced by Jorge Polanco.

With Luis Robert Jr. off the injured list, there was an expectation that the Mets would rotate through their outfielders, but Robert Jr. is on the bench for this one too. Brett Baty will start in right field, which will allow Jorge Polanco to DH and Marcus Semien to play second base. There will be a logjam at certain positions over the next week or so until the Mets can trade some players away.

Soto is back in New York’s lineup without missing any additional time following an early exit from Thursday’s second-half opener with left calf soreness. The 27-year-old fantasy superstar is at DH and hitting second to face Phillies lefty Jesús Luzardo on Saturday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. Fantasy managers should continue to closely monitor his status throughout the weekend, but Soto doesn’t appear to be at risk of missing any additional game action.

Soto had singled and drawn three walks in his four plate appearances before exiting in the eighth inning for a defensive replacement. Interim manager Andy Green said after the game that the team just wanted to get him off of his feet for a couple innings and that Soto is expected to play in both games over the weekend. He’s considered day-to-day.

Soto is now up to 21 home runs and 50 RBI in 75 games on the season. There are many reasons for the Mets’ struggles this season, but Soto is not one of them.

Soto’s three-run homer off Raisel Iglesias gave the Mets a 5-3 lead that failed to hold up initially, as Matt Olson responded with a two-run shot in the bottom of the inning. However, the Mets did prevail in 10, with Luis Torrens connecting on a go-ahead double off the bench. Soto had three walks to go along with his 19th homer tonight. He also collected his seventh steal.

Unsurprisingly, Soto was voted into the starting group even with the Mets having a disappointing 2026 campaign. He’ll be joined in the outfield by Andy Pages and Brandon Marsh. The infield will include 3B Max Muncy, SS CJ Abrams, 2B Ozzie Albies and 1B Freddie Freeman, with Drake Baldwin elected the starting catcher and Shohei Ohtani the designated hitter.

Soto drove the Mets offense in this one. His two-run homer – that looked like a cue-shot off the bat – stood as their only run until the ninth inning when Soto singled just before Bo Bichette drove in their third and final run in a late rally that fell short. He also had a demonstrative challenge of a called third strike that was overturned and turned into a walk. He’s had a fantastic season with 18 home runs and a .971 OPS through 69 games despite the Mets’ struggles.