The New York Mets just got a massive boost, with slugger Juan Soto officially reinstated from the 10-day injured list today. He is back in action for their game against the Houston Astros, and Mets fans have to be letting out a collective, albeit cautious, sigh of relief.
The Injury Grind: Can Soto Stay on the Field?
This isn’t Soto’s first rodeo on the IL this season. The five-time All-Star landed there last month after imaging revealed a grade 2 calf strain. Dude’s been battling this nagging calf problem for a while now, even playing through it for about a week before he finally had to sit. He left a game against the Dodgers in discomfort, walking twice against Los Angeles starter Roki Sasaki before pinch-hitter Jorge Polanco replaced him in the sixth inning of a 4-2 loss at Citi Field. It’s a huge question mark hanging over his head: can he finally shake this thing for good?
Numbers Don’t Lie: When Healthy, He’s Elite
When Juan Soto is on the field, he’s absolutely electric. In 84 games during his second season with the Mets, he’s hitting a solid .283 with 21 homers, 52 RBIs, and a ridiculous .947 OPS. That’s MVP-caliber stuff, no joke. It’s why his health is so critical. While Soto rejoins the squad, the Mets also made another roster move, optioning infielder Eric Wagaman to Triple-A following Friday night’s tough 3-1 loss to the Astros.
So, Soto is back for the Astros game. Can he stay healthy? That’s the million-dollar question after two trips to the IL this year. Mets fans have to be crossing their fingers and toes, hoping their main man can finally shake this calf issue for good and keep putting up those monster numbers.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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