Juan Soto returned to the New York Mets lineup on Wednesday night, providing a much-needed boost as the struggling club finally snapped a 12-game losing streak with a narrow 3–2 win over the Minnesota Twins. His presence alone seemed to energize the team, even though his stat line was modest he went 1-for-3 with a walk and scored no runs. Still, after weeks without him, his return marked a turning point for a Mets team that had been spiraling.
Manager Carlos Mendoza noted that Soto looked sharp in his first game back, a reassuring sign after the slugger missed over two weeks with a calf strain. Batting second as the designated hitter, Soto contributed early by hitting a deep fly ball that helped advance a runner and set up the Mets’ first run. He later drew a walk and added a single, though he was caught attempting to steal a base late in the game.
Despite the positive momentum, the Mets’ injury troubles didn’t disappear. Star shortstop Francisco Lindor exited midgame with left calf tightness an issue eerily similar to the one that sidelined Soto. Lindor is scheduled for further evaluation, leaving the team uncertain about yet another key player’s health.
Soto, who had been on a hot streak before his injury and has now reached base safely in every game he’s played this season, emphasized that he doesn’t feel pressure to carry the team. Instead, he stressed the importance of collective effort, acknowledging that much of the lineup has been struggling offensively. During their losing streak, the Mets’ bats went cold, producing minimal runs and posting poor overall numbers.
The team plans to ease Soto back into full action, carefully managing his workload to avoid reinjury. He’s expected to gradually return to outfield duties while also receiving periodic rest days. Mendoza made it clear that the organization intends to be cautious, especially given how valuable Soto is to their long-term success.
Coming into the game, the Mets had one of the worst records in baseball despite having the league’s highest payroll, highlighting how disappointing their early-season performance has been. Their recent skid, which began in early April, was one of the longest the franchise has endured in decades.
Now in the second year of his record-breaking contract, Soto appears fully recovered and ready to contribute. Rather than completing a minor league rehab assignment, he prepared through simulated game action at the team’s home stadium, which the coaching staff believed was sufficient.
While the victory doesn’t erase the struggles of the past few weeks, Soto’s return offers renewed hope that the Mets can stabilize their season and begin climbing back into contention.
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