In a season that has already tested the collective patience of the Queens faithful, the New York Mets and their fans held their breath on Wednesday night as superstar Juan Soto limped off the field. The $765 million man, who joined the Mets on a historic 15-year deal prior to the 2025 season, was forced to depart early from a 3–2 victory over the Detroit Tigers after fouling a ball sharply off his right foot.
The incident occurred in the third inning at Citi Field. Facing Tigers starter Framber Valdez, Soto connected with a 2-0 pitch that went directly into the top of his right ankle. The sound of the impact was audible throughout the stadium, and Soto’s immediate reaction told the story. He hopped toward the Mets dugout in visible distress before dropping to one knee. Manager Carlos Mendoza and an athletic trainer rushed to the plate to tend to the Mets’ designated hitter, who appeared to be in significant pain.
Surprisingly, after a brief examination, Soto remained in the game. He managed to finish the at-bat, though he ultimately struck out. He even stayed in for a subsequent plate appearance in the sixth inning, where he grounded out to the pitcher. However, by the seventh inning, it became clear that the star wasn’t moving with his usual fluidity. With a runner on third and the game hanging in the balance, Mendoza opted for caution, calling upon MJ Melendez to pinch-hit for Soto.
The timing of the injury could not have been more ominous for a Mets squad already decimated by health issues. Just 24 hours prior, the team lost star catcher Francisco Alvarez to a torn meniscus in his right knee—an injury that also occurred while fouling off a pitch. Alvarez is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks following surgery. Furthermore, the Mets are currently navigating a grueling stretch without the services of Francisco Lindor (calf strain), Luis Robert Jr. (herniated disc), and Jorge Polanco.
Following the game, the Mets received a rare bit of good news. Manager Carlos Mendoza informed reporters that X-rays on Soto’s foot were negative. “We got good news there; he’s day-to-day,” Mendoza said. “We’ll see how he comes in tomorrow and whether he’s a player for us in the starting lineup.”
The “day-to-day” diagnosis was a massive sigh of relief for a franchise that has historically struggled when Soto is out of the lineup. Earlier this April, Soto missed 15 games with a right calf strain. During that span, the Mets plummeted, enduring a 12-game losing streak that nearly derailed their season before the first month was over. New York currently sits at 16–25, struggling to climb out of the basement of the National League East.
Soto has also been mired in a personal slump as of late. In the month of May, he is just 6-for-41 (.146) at the plate, a far cry from the offensive dominance that earned him six Silver Slugger awards. Despite the slump, his presence in the lineup remains the cornerstone of the Mets’ offensive strategy.
The resilience of the superstar was confirmed on Thursday morning when the Mets released their lineup for the series finale against Detroit. Soto was listed as the designated hitter, batting third, proving that the injury was indeed a scare rather than a catastrophe. For a fan base that has seen its fair share of “Mets-ian” tragedy, the sight of number 22 back in the box is the only thing that can keep the flickering hopes of a 2026 turnaround alive.
