Juan Soto calf injury sends Mets slugger out of Dodgers game
Juan Soto left Mets-Dodgers with left calf soreness, and ESPN reported the Mets outfielder is set for an MRI after a prior strain.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
Juan Soto’s calf injury put a jolt into the Mets’ Friday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with ESPN reporting that the 27-year-old was removed in the sixth inning because of soreness in his left calf and is set for an MRI.
The Mets had Soto in the lineup as the designated hitter, a role ESPN’s Jorge Castillo reported the club has used often lately to reduce the load on his calf. Friday marked the fifth time in seven games that Soto started at DH.
Soto reached base in both of his plate appearances, drawing two walks. ESPN reported that he was left at first base both times.
Jorge Polanco replaced Soto in the lineup and took over the No. 2 spot for what would have been Soto’s third plate appearance, according to ESPN.
What happened to Juan Soto's calf?
ESPN reported that Soto left the game because of left calf soreness. The issue is tied to a leg that has already bothered him this season: Soto missed two weeks in April with a left calf strain and had a minor flare-up last week, according to ESPN.
An MRI is an imaging exam doctors use to check soft-tissue injuries, including muscle strains. For a calf problem, it can help determine whether soreness is minor or whether there is damage that could require more time away.
Why Soto’s status is a big deal for the Mets
Soto has been the Mets’ lone All-Star this season, according to ESPN, and his production has stood out in a year that has otherwise gone badly for the club.
Through 84 games, Soto is batting .283 with 21 home runs and a .947 OPS, ESPN reported. His OPS ranks third in the majors.
Those numbers explain why any fresh calf concern lands with extra weight. The Mets have already been trying to manage the issue by keeping him out of the outfield more often, and now they are waiting on more information after another mid-game exit.
ESPN also reported that the Mets are expected to trade several veterans before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. Soto’s health sits at the center of the club’s immediate plans, even as the front office faces decisions about a roster that has not met expectations.
The team did not announce a diagnosis beyond left calf soreness in ESPN’s report. The next key detail is the MRI result, which should give the Mets a clearer read on whether Soto can return quickly or whether the calf problem has become something more than a day-to-day headache.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.