New York Mets’ Juan Soto sidelined with grade 2 left calf strain
Soto placed on injured list
The New York Mets announced that Juan Soto has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a Grade 2 left calf strain. This injury is considered more significant than a right calf strain he experienced earlier in the season, which kept him out for three weeks. Soto’s absence comes at a challenging time for the team, with the trade deadline approaching.
Soto had been managing calf issues for approximately a week prior to this development. Interim manager Andy Green acknowledged that the team had been balancing rest for Soto with his desire to play. Green stated that while the team does not believe the injury is season-ending, further evaluation is needed to establish a definitive timeline for his return.
Impact on the team
Soto’s injury is a notable blow to the Mets’ offense. He has been a key offensive contributor, leading the team with 21 home runs and 52 RBIs. His slash line stands at .283/.408/.539, and he leads the National League in on-base percentage and OPS. Despite his recent calf discomfort, Soto’s .404 on-base percentage is the best in the National League, and he is tied for second in MLB with a .947 OPS.
To mitigate the 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. He also sat out a game against the Milwaukee Brewers due to the discomfort. This marks the second time this season Soto has been on the injured list; he previously missed more than two weeks in early April with a right calf strain.
The Mets recalled infielder Eric Wagaman from Triple-A Syracuse to fill Soto’s roster spot. Wagaman has a slash line of .360/.441/.540 in 59 appearances this season. In a previous stint with the Mets, he batted .162 with a .586 OPS.
Recent performance and team struggles
Soto exited Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth inning due to soreness in his left calf. He had batted twice and drawn two walks before being replaced by pinch hitter Jorge Polanco. Following the game, Green indicated that Soto felt the issue while running the bases and was scheduled for an MRI.
The Mets’ recent performance has seen them lose four of seven games since the All-Star break and record a 7-11 record in July. Their defeat on Friday dropped their overall record to 43-61, placing them in last in the NL East. The team’s medical and training staff are reportedly reflecting on the injury situation to identify potential areas for improvement, as other players, including Francisco Lindor, have also experienced calf strains this season.
In the game against the Dodgers, Roki Sasaki pitched 7 innings, allowing 1 run and 3 hits with 9 strikeouts for the Dodgers. Kyle Tucker hit a 2-run homer in the eighth inning off Mets reliever A.J. Minter. 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 6 innings for the Mets, giving up 1 run and 6 hits, with Brooks Raley taking the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Shohei Ohtani.
Source: newsday.com
