New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza addressed growing concerns surrounding superstar Juan Soto on Saturday, explaining why the slugger continues to remain in the lineup despite dealing with multiple nagging injuries.
Ahead of the Mets’ rivalry matchup against the New York Yankees, Mendoza made it clear that the organization does not believe Soto is at risk of worsening any of his injuries by continuing to play. According to the Mets skipper, as long as the star outfielder is not in danger of causing further damage, the team is comfortable allowing him to battle through the discomfort.
“As long as he’s not putting anything at risk, he’ll continue to play,” Mendoza said regarding Soto’s situation.
The 27-year-old has been managing several physical issues in recent weeks, including lingering pain in his foot, wrist, and elbow. Soto’s foot injury occurred earlier this week when he fouled a ball off himself during New York’s win over the Detroit Tigers on May 13. Around the same time, concerns also emerged regarding his wrist after cameras caught him visibly grimacing following a swing. In addition, Soto has reportedly been dealing with minor elbow discomfort, although the Mets do not appear overly concerned about that issue.
Despite the injuries, Soto has continued to produce offensively whenever he has been healthy enough to take the field. Through 29 games this season, the four-time All-Star owns a .271 batting average with a .363 on-base percentage, while adding six home runs, 14 RBIs, and 29 hits across 107 at-bats. His presence remains crucial for a Mets lineup searching for consistency during a difficult stretch of the season.
Rather than placing Soto on the injured list for rest and recovery, the Mets are trusting their medical evaluations and Soto’s own ability to manage the pain. Mendoza’s comments suggest the organization believes the injuries are more about discomfort than serious structural damage.
Soto was once again penciled into the heart of the lineup Saturday, batting third as the Mets attempted to bounce back from Friday’s 5-2 loss to the Yankees in the opening game of the Subway Series. New York hopes Soto’s bat can help even the rivalry series before Sunday’s finale at Citi Field.
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