Juan Soto placed on 10-day injured list with left calf strain
The New York Mets have placed outfielder Juan Soto on the 10-day injured list due to a left calf strain. The team announced the move on Saturday. This injury marks Soto’s second calf issue this season, following an earlier stint on the injured list for a right calf strain.
Initial estimates suggest Soto’s recovery time could range from four to six weeks, according to one report. This extended absence raises concerns that he might miss more than the 15 games he was sidelined for earlier in the season.
Injury Details and Recent Performance
Soto exited Friday’s 4-2 loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth inning after experiencing soreness in his left calf. He had batted twice and drawn two walks before being replaced by pinch hitter Jorge Polanco. Following the game, Mets interim manager Andy Green indicated that Soto felt the issue while running the bases and was scheduled for an MRI.
Green had previously acknowledged that the calf was a persistent problem for Soto, even stating before Friday’s game that he hoped the topic would no longer need to be discussed with reporters. Soto had been dealing with discomfort in his left calf recently, leading him to sit out Wednesday’s 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
To mitigate stress on his calf, Soto had been playing as a designated hitter for the past seven games instead of his usual position in right field. This strategy aimed to provide partial rest while keeping him in the lineup, but the issue ultimately led to his placement on the injured list.
Despite battling discomfort in both calves this season, Soto has maintained strong offensive numbers. He holds a slash line of .283/.404/.539 over 357 plate appearances. He leads the Mets with 21 home runs and 52 RBI. His .404 on-base percentage is currently the best in the National League, and he is tied for second in MLB with a .947 OPS.
Roster Changes and Team Outlook
In response to Soto’s injury, the Mets recalled infielder Eric Wagaman from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the open spot on the active roster. Wagaman compiled a slash line of .360/.441/.540 in 59 appearances in Triple-A. During a previous stint with the Mets this season, he batted .162 with a .586 OPS.
The Mets’ recent performance has seen them drop to a 43-61 record, placing them in last place in the NL East. They have lost four of seven games since the All-Star break and hold a 7-11 record in July. The team’s struggles, combined with Soto’s injury, could lead to further roster adjustments as the trade deadline approaches.
During Friday’s game, Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki pitched seven innings, allowing one run and three hits while striking out nine. Kyle Tucker hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning off Mets reliever A.J. Minter, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 4-1. The Mets’ runs came from solo home runs by Luis Robert Jr. in the second inning and Francisco Alvarez in the eighth. Sean Manaea pitched six innings for the Mets, giving up one run and six hits, while Brooks Raley took the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly by Shohei Ohtani.
Soto’s previous injury in early April, a right calf strain, kept him sidelined for more than two weeks. This current left calf issue has reportedly lingered since the start of the second half of the season. The severity of the current strain could potentially jeopardize the remainder of Soto’s season, especially given that the Mets are out of the playoff race. If he is not ready to return by mid-September, the club might consider shutting him down for the rest of the season.
With Soto out, the Mets may cycle players like Jorge Polanco or other regulars through the designated hitter spot to provide additional at-bats. The team’s roster could see further changes as the trade deadline approaches.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
