Juan Soto is back on the field for the Mets, and yeah, it was a total surprise! The dude returned from the injured list on Saturday way ahead of schedule, especially wild considering New York is outta contention this season. But Soto always said he’d finish strong, and he wasted no time showing it. In his very first game back, he smoked an RBI single in the fifth inning, breaking a 1-1 tie. The Mets went on to beat the Houston Astros 6-2, snapping a brutal three-game losing streak. Soto summed it up after the game, “Feels good to be back. It’s a great feeling to be a part of the team and part of the game. Trying to help the team as much as you can out there, it feels really cool.” You love to see it, right?
The Unexpected Spark
What’s crazy is that the Mets’ recent glow-up happened while Soto was sidelined since July 24 with a second calf injury. Before that three-game slide, New York had ripped off seven wins in ten games, posting a 14-10 record in August where they looked completely different. Better. And get this: the team’s unexpected surge actually pushed Soto harder to get back in the lineup. He saw the fun they were having and wanted a piece of it! “I feel really good about it,” Soto said about the improved play. “We brought a lot of young talent from the minor leagues and now seeing them playing the way they’re playing and seeing how everything is clicking for us is really cool to see.” He’s not thinking about now either. “It means a lot, not only for this year, but the next years coming and I’m really happy about the way we’ve been playing. That’s another thing that motivated me more to come back and try to join this positive wave and try to carry on.” This dude is an absolute competitor, wanting to be part of the good times, even when the season’s technically a lost one.
Leading the Next Wave
Interim manager Andy Green isn’t wrong when he calls Soto “one of the absolute best hitters on the planet.” And now, this energized team, even without a shot at the postseason, gets that kind of talent back. It’s all about pride right now, sure, but it’s also a serious audition for 2027 and beyond. The Mets are using these final weeks to really scout which players can contribute next year, giving tons of young guys extended looks. And that’s exactly where Soto’s return, coming off that second calf injury in a lost season, becomes massive. He knows how hard this game is, especially for the rookies still learning the ropes. “I won’t be the guy to like carry them and show them how I did it, but whenever they need me I’m gonna be there,” Soto said. Talk about leading by example. Nolan McLean, who pitched seven terrific innings in Saturday’s game, felt that vibe. “We know with Juan how much it means to him,” McLean said. “He’s in here every day before everybody making sure he can get back on the field and that means the world to us because guys like that in your lineup is important. He’s arguably one of the best hitters on the planet and I’m glad he’s on my team and I don’t have to face him. It’s good to have guys like that back.”
So, what’s next? The Mets might be out of contention, but they’re not mailing it in. With Soto back, and a bunch of young talent buzzing, they’re building momentum and figuring out their future. Every game from here on out is a chance for these kids to prove themselves, with one of baseball’s best setting the tone. Keep an eye on New York, because this late-season surge isn’t about pride, it’s about laying the groundwork for something big.
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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