Juan Soto’s night against the Los Angeles Dodgers ended earlier than planned on Friday, as the superstar slugger exited the New York Mets’ game with yet another calf injury.
Now, the Mets are now waiting on imaging results that could determine how long their $765 million man remains sidelined.
New York fell 4-2 in the series opener, and Soto was pulled in the sixth inning before he could take his third at-bat. Jorge Polanco entered in his place as the club managed an ongoing left calf issue that has bothered the All-Star for roughly a week.
Soto had already missed Wednesday’s game and benefited from Thursday’s scheduled off day, yet the discomfort returned. Interim manager Andy Green addressed the situation after the loss, explaining that the calf soreness continues to linger and that further evaluation is necessary.
Green indicated the team plans to send Soto for imaging on Saturday to get a clearer picture of the injury’s severity. He did not rule out a trip to the injured list, noting that the decision to image the calf itself reflects a level of concern.
“Yeah, he had some recurring symptoms of the left calf,” Green said. “At this point, we will likely get an image tomorrow and try to see where he’s at. This has nagged him for a week now. So it’s frustrating for him, frustrating for us.”
When pressed specifically about the possibility of an IL stint, the interim skipper added that any time a player requires imaging, the organization is concerned enough to take that step.
“I think anytime you get an image, you’re concerned, concerned enough to go do it,” Green added.
The timing is especially difficult for a Mets club already sitting at 43-61 and buried in last place in the National League East. Soto has been one of the few consistent bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season.
He earned his first All-Star selection as a Met and enters the latest setback hitting .283 with 21 home runs, 52 RBIs, and seven stolen bases. His .539 slugging percentage and .944 OPS underscore how central he has been to the lineup.
Whether the imaging reveals something that forces a formal disabled-list placement or simply calls for additional rest remains to be seen.
For now, the Mets and their star outfielder are left waiting on the results that will dictate the next chapter of Soto’s 2026 campaign.
