The New York Mets offense is currently shorthanded with several everyday players sidelined. Shortstop Francisco Lindor has been out since late April with a left calf strain, while both Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. are on the 10-day injured list.
New York enters Monday’s series opener against the Cincinnati Reds looking to rebound after getting swept by the division rival Miami Marlins. The Mets have a steep climb ahead, sitting at 22-31 and dealing with a depleted roster.
To make matters worse, they are now without their best player in Juan Soto. The 27-year-old Dominican superstar is dealing with a setback, and ahead of Monday’s game he was absent from the lineup for the second straight day.
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Soto was scratched before Sunday’s series finale against Miami due to an illness. Speaking with reporters during pregame on Monday, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza provided the latest update on Soto’s condition when asked about his progress.
“He developed a fever again last night and is still weak. We just have to wait the next few hours and see how he develops. Hopefully there's some type of availability there, but who knows, we got to wait,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza’s comments suggest Soto may not be available off the bench for a pinch hit appearance, but they also indicate he likely will not require a stint on the injured list. That is important for a Mets team that cannot afford to lose him for an extended period.
Soto already missed multiple weeks in April with a right calf strain, and the Mets cannot withstand another long absence. He remains the focal point of New York’s lineup.
Through 37 games, he has posted a .294 batting average, .390 on-base percentage, .949 OPS, 10 home runs and 21 RBIs. The four-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger continues to show why he is one of the most feared hitters in the league.
If the Mets have any hope of avoiding becoming sellers at this year’s trade deadline, it starts with Soto returning to full strength and bringing the offense back to life.
