The New York Mets will have Juan Soto in the lineup for Thursday’s series finale against the Detroit Tigers.
Soto left Wednesday’s game after fouling a ball off his ankle. He was removed from the game and went for X-rays. Luckily, after the game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said the X-rays came back negative, which is good news for the slugger.
“I was concerned as soon as he got hit, because it got him pretty good there,” Mendoza said. “We went out there, and you could tell that he was in pain. That second at-bat didn’t look right. Then when I saw the trainer come my way, I knew something was up. That’s when he said, ‘Hey, I’m going to take him for X-rays.’ I’m glad that we got good news.”
Although Soto was forced to leave Wednesday’s game, the Mets announced he’s back in the lineup for the series finale. New York’s lineup is as follows:
- C. Benge RF
- B. Bichette SS
- J. Soto DH
- M. Vientos 1B
- M. Melendez LF
- B. Baty 3B
- M. Semien 2B
- A. Ewing CF
- H. Senger C
Soto being back in the lineup is a huge boost for New York’s offense, but he will be the DH in the series finale. He’s hitting .263 with 4 home runs and 11 RBIs this season.
Soto Dealt With Injuries This Season
Soto being back in the lineup on Thursday is huge for New York, as the star hitter was already on the injured list earlier this year.
Last month, Soto missed 15 games with a strained right calf. The injury scare also came a day after Francisco Alvarez tore the meniscus in his right knee after fouling off a pitch in the sixth inning of a 10-2 win. Alvarez will need surgery and is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks.
When Soto returned from the calf injury, he gave the Mets offense a big boost, and in his first game back, Mendoza said it’s exciting to be able to have Soto in the lineup.
“To be able to put his name (in the lineup), he just gives you a different look,” Mendoza said. “But it’s going to take all of us to get out of (this losing streak). It’s not just Juan Soto.”
Soto is also a key part of the Mets clubhouse and success, so the outfielder not being injured is key for New York, looking to get back on track after a disastrous start.
“It’s tough to see (the losing streak). It’s really uncomfortable to see it from the outside. … I trust what we have, the talent that we have. It’s a tough time, but we are going to get out of it,” Soto said when he returned from his calf injury.”
New York Looking for Series Win
The Mets picked up a 3-2 win over the Tigers on Wednesday to even up the series, as New York will look for the series win on Thursday afternoon.
The Mets lost their last series to the Arizona Diamondbacks, so New York is looking to get back on track and get a series win.
New York will send Nolan McLean to the mound, who’s 1-2 with a 2.78 ERA in 8 starts this season.
The Mets are 17-25 and last in the NL East.
Mets Make Juan Soto Decision Ahead of Tigers Series Finale After Injury Scare