Mets Finally Activate Soto After Latest Calf Injury

The New York Mets lineup has had a bit of a hollow feeling without outfielder Juan Soto anchoring it, but that will change today as the Mets announced that Soto was activated without going out on a rehab assignment, per a report from MLB.com. The Mets also optioned infielder Eric Wagaman to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. 

Soto has been out since July 24 with a left calf strain, and it’s the second time he’s been out with a calf issue this season. His return this time around has been shrouded in mystery, with the earlier injury coming to his right calf. 

“I put in the work. I feel I’m in a good spot,” Soto said earlier this week. “We are trying to test [the calf] and see how it feels. Definitely, we are at the point we have to see how it reacts the next day. But I feel good.”

There were rumors after the latest injury surfaced that Soto would shut it down for the season, but both the Mets and Soto quickly denied that possibility. But neither party has been offering much on a specific return date, although Soto has been seen working out in the outfield lately. 

The Mets have nothing to play for, but the team still seems to believe that there’s value in winning games as opposed to just bringing up prospects en masse for an evaluation. 

New York started playing well right after cleaning house at the trade deadline, but the Mets showed signs of backsliding lately as they’ve lost three in a row, the first two against the Milwaukee Brewers and then last night against the Houston Astros. 

“Winning is great and the sky is the limit. You never know. We are going to do our best. It’s not over until it’s over,” Soto said this week. “We are trying to stay positive, focus on one thing. The guys are doing that. We have a brand new clubhouse. We have a lot of guys with good energy, guys that want to play. I feel really good about it.”

The report today didn’t mention whether Soto will be in today’s lineup against Houston, but it seems logical to assume he will be given the timing here. Soto has slashed .283/.408/.539 with 21 home runs and 52 RBIs in 84 games this season. The Mets are 40-44 when he is on the field, per the report.

Soto has been an ironman until this year, as he’s played in at least 150 games in every full season since 2019. He has been sidelined for 51 games this year, but this move will also reignite the controversy between shortstop Francisco Lindor and Soto that refuses to go away for the Mets.