Lindor addressed the impending return of his superstar teammate as the Mets navigate a brutal 12-game losing streak. “At the end of the day, I hope everyone doesn’t put all the pressure on him because that would be a little unfair, but I know he’s going to help us a ton,” Lindor told SNY.

The primary culprit behind this historic slide has been a complete offensive vanishing act. Averaging a dismal 1.7 runs over their last 12 contests, the Amazins are currently enduring one of the most futility-stricken starts in franchise history.

With Soto back in the heart of the order for Wednesday’s tilt, manager Carlos Mendoza—who recently received a public vote of confidence from owner Steve Cohen—is hopeful this reinforcements can finally halt the skid. The Mets are desperate for a much-needed victory against the Minnesota Twins in Game 2 of the series.

Mendoza tempers expectations for Soto’s return

While the fan base is looking to Juan Soto as a potential savior amid this double-digit losing streak, the clubhouse is taking a more measured approach regarding his re-entry against the Twins.

Speaking with the media prior to the game, Mendoza emphasized the need for patience with his outfielder’s health. “We need to be flexible and stay on top of things with him,” Mendoza noted, suggesting the team will carefully monitor Soto’s workload in his first game back.

Soto eager to spark the Mets’ offense

Ahead of the pivotal matchup against Minnesota, Soto expressed his excitement about finally getting back onto the grass. “To be back on the field is always great,” Soto remarked. “That’s what we do this for, to be out there, to share a good time with your teammates, to learn, and to play the game you love.”

Manager Carlos Mendoza emphasized that while Soto’s presence is important, the team cannot rely on him alone to reverse its struggles. “It definitely helps, but we cannot put all the pressure on one player,” Mendoza said, according to MLB.com. “Adding him to the lineup will definitely help.” Soto missed 15 games with a strained right calf and is expected to be gradually reintroduced.

Before his injury on April 3, Soto had been one of the team’s most consistent hitters, batting .355/.412/.516 across eight games. Since then, the Mets have gone 3-11, struggling offensively while relying on less experienced players to fill the gap.

Mets plan cautious workload for Soto after injury return

As the Mets try to stabilize during their worst stretch of the season, Devin Williams recently defended Mendoza and took accountability, reinforcing the message that responsibility is shared across the roster. The Mets are taking a measured approach with Soto to avoid any setback. He is not expected to play consecutive games in the field immediately, with the designated hitter role likely being used to manage his workload.

This strategy allows Soto to ease back into action while protecting his calf. Mendoza and the coaching staff want to ensure long-term availability rather than rushing him back into a full-time role too quickly.

Soto’s return could stabilize lineup amid Mets struggles

Soto’s impact goes beyond statistics, as his presence adds balance and experience to a lineup that has struggled in his absence. Last season, he played 160 games and was among the most productive players in baseball, highlighting his importance to the team.

The Mets will need to make a roster move ahead of his activation, with options including adjusting their catching depth or making a change in the outfield. For now, the focus remains on integrating Soto carefully as the team looks to regain momentum.

After another quiet performance, Lindor addressed the situation directly. “Soto is irreplaceable. He’s one of the best hitters in the game,” he said via SNY. “Guys understand that we’ve got to get it done.” His comments reflect a clubhouse that remains focused, even as production has dipped.

The Mets were shut out 4–0 by the Athletics, extending their scoreless stretch to 17 innings. They managed just six hits and struggled to generate consistent pressure, highlighting how much the lineup has missed Soto’s presence as a stabilizing force, especially with reports that he has been taking indoor swings but is not ready to return.

Mets offense searching for rhythm

Manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged that several hitters are currently struggling, leading to quick innings and limited opportunities with runners on base. The lack of consistency in the middle of the order has made it difficult for New York to build momentum offensively.

Even Lindor has not been immune to the slow start. He is hitting .164 through 14 games and is still looking for his first home run of the season. Despite that, he emphasized that the issue is more about execution than pressure, as the team works to find its rhythm.

Soto’s absence continues to impact lineup

There is little doubt that Soto’s absence has been a major factor. Before going down, he was producing at an elite level and anchoring the top of the lineup, giving opposing pitchers fewer options to navigate.

Without him, teams have attacked the Mets more aggressively, exposing inconsistencies across the lineup. Until Soto returns, New York will need to find internal solutions, something Lindor believes is still within reach if the team executes better in key moments.

According to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, Soto has progressed to taking indoor swings, though he remains a significant distance away from being cleared for a formal running program.

“Juan Soto (calf) has been swinging a bat indoors and playing catch, but he’s not close to beginning a running program. He’ll continue to participate in light baseball activities while he heals,“ DiComo reported via his X account.

Soto isn’t the only concern for the Mets’ lineup; manager Carlos Mendoza also provided an update on Jorge Polanco’s taxing path to recovery. With two key pillars of the offense hampered, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the Mets as they navigate a crucial stretch of the regular season.

Soto’s injury history in Queens

While this marks his first significant stint on the shelf since joining the Mets last season, Soto has dealt with a handful of manageable physical setbacks during his tenure in New York.

Prior to the start of the current campaign, Soto missed a string of games due to left shoulder soreness. However, the issue proved minor, as he was eventually cleared to compete in the World Baseball Classic.

His first brush with the training staff in New York came back in September 2025. As the Mets were winding down their regular-season schedule, the slugger was forced to miss several starts while battling lower back tightness.

While the initial stint is 10 days, reports suggest a recovery timeline of two to three weeks, leaving a massive hole in the heart of the order.

In a corresponding move, the Mets have recalled Ronny Mauricio from Triple-A Syracuse. The 25-year-old infielder/outfielder will be tasked with providing an immediate spark for a Mets squad that has stumbled to a disappointing 3-7 start to the 2026 campaign.

Despite a gritty series-clinching win over the San Francisco Giants, manager Carlos Mendoza now faces a daunting task: replacing Soto’s generational power while the rotation—anchored by a surging Kodai Senga—attempts to keep the team afloat.

Can Mauricio step up?

Mauricio was a victim of a roster numbers game this spring, optioned to Syracuse primarily due to the veteran presence of Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette, and Marcus Semien. However, his performance in the spring training proved he was big-league ready.

Here is how prospect Ronny Mauricio can impact the Mets during Soto’s absence:

• This spring, Mauricio consistently clocked exit velocities north of 110 mph, offering the kind of raw, game-changing power the Mets desperately need in the middle of the order.
• Mauricio swiped two bags in spring training play, with Statcast data showing his sprint speed returning to the 60th percentile, a vital asset for a team looking to be more aggressive on the basepaths.
• As a switch-hitter capable of slotting into multiple infield and outfield spots, he gives the Mets a high-upside “Swiss Army Knife” for the upcoming home stand.

“There’s obviously concern any time you send a player for an MRI… the calf area can be tricky. So we’ve just got to wait,” Mendoza said, according to MLB.com. He later added, “He felt something… as he was standing at third base, he continued to get tight.”

Soto appeared to injure his right calf while running from first to third in the opening inning. He was removed shortly after, despite the Mets jumping out to an early lead. The timing is notable, as Soto has been one of the team’s hottest hitters to begin the season, going 11-for-31 with a home run.

Injury concern overshadows strong Mets performance

While the Mets snapped a three-game losing streak in convincing fashion, Soto’s status became the primary storyline. The team avoided speculation postgame, but losing a key bat like his, even temporarily, would significantly impact the lineup.

The Mets’ offense showed signs of life, with Marcus Semien, who stayed confident amid his slump, contributing a two-run homer and delivering a rare hit with runners in scoring position. Francisco Álvarez also powered the attack with two home runs, helping the team break through against both the starter and bullpen.

Rotation and offense step up amid uncertainty

On the mound, Nolan McLean delivered an impressive outing, carrying a perfect game into the sixth inning and allowing just one hit over 5 1/3 innings. His performance provided stability as the Mets built a comfortable lead.

Even with the strong showing, the focus now shifts to Soto’s MRI results. The Mets have proven they can produce without him in a single game, but his absence over a longer stretch would present a much tougher challenge moving forward.

Although Benge is currently playing right field, he remains a viable option thanks to his defensive versatility. Behind him on the depth chart are Tyrone Taylor and Brett Baty as third and fourth options to step in if needed.

Another name in the mix is Jared Young, who provides additional flexibility for the Mets. He can cover not only left field but also right field and even third base, making him a valuable depth piece capable of adjusting to multiple roles.

Mendoza remains confident in Mets’ depth chart

Manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged the team’s early challenges to start the 2026 season, but even after a recent win without Soto, he made it clear there’s no major roster concern if the star outfielder misses time.

“We’ve got to wait, but we feel good with what we have here,” Mendoza said, as players like Marcus Semien and Francisco Alvarez also addressed how a potential Soto absence could impact the team in the coming games.

Looking at Soto’s injury history, this would mark just the second time he’s dealt with a calf-related issue. While nothing has been officially confirmed for 2026, the last instance came in July 2022, when he was reported to be managing a similar concern.

The numbers are jarring. New York is currently hitting a dismal .162 with runners in scoring position (RISP), ranking 29th in the Majors, ahead of only the Reds. Even more concerning is the lack of punch; with runners on base, the Mets are slugging just .278, also 29th in MLB.

While an 11-run outburst on Opening Day against the Pirates provided a brief glimmer of hope, the power has since vanished. The early optimism is beginning to give way to anxiety, and Carlos Mendoza stuttered while calling out Mets stars Bo Bichette and Francisco Lindor.

The root of the offensive malaise

While it is far too early to hit the panic button, Mendoza and his staff are undoubtedly scrutinizing a few troubling trends:

• The Mets are currently converting on just one out of every six opportunities with a runner on second or third.
• The “extra-base” threat has disappeared. With runners on, the Mets have largely failed to find the gaps or clear the fences, leaving the rotation with razor-thin margins for error.

At 3-3, the record isn’t a disaster, but for a franchise that spent the offseason stockpiling elite talent, a .500 start fueled by a stagnant offense isn’t what the fanbase signed up for.

Star watch: The early-season slump

A collective offensive identity crisis is usually driven by individual struggles. Four key names are currently under the microscope as they look to shake off a cold first week:

• Francisco Lindor (SS): The captain is in a notable funk, batting just .143 with a .712 OPS.
• Jeff McNeil (2B/OF): The former batting champ hasn’t found his “squirrelly” rhythm, posting a dismal .077 average (1-for-13) in his first five appearances.
• Marcus Semien (2B): The veteran addition was brought in for his reliability, but a 2-for-20 (.100) start has him searching for answers at the plate.
• Brett Baty (1B/DH): While his .217 average is higher than his peers, a .522 OPS and a -0.2 WAR tell a different story. With 6 strikeouts in 23 at-bats and zero home run power to show for it, the pressure is mounting for the young infielder.

“What really caught my attention was the players on the team like Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor. On top of that, my dad has always been a Mets fan, so the chance to come here and be closer to him made the decision even easier. Thank God we did,” Polanco told Miriam Luz on Instagram (@miriamluz._).

While there isn’t much widely available information about his father, it is known that his name is Marino Polanco. According to SportsKeeda, he once played for the San Francisco Giants, although there are no official stats listed for him in either the minors or majors.

Polanco was separated from his father for years

Beyond the opportunity to share a clubhouse with Soto and Lindor, fellow Caribbean stars, Polanco is also reconnecting with his father, who has lived in New York for years. The two were separated not only during Polanco’s time with the Mariners and Twins, but also earlier in his childhood.

SportsKeeda detailed that Polanco did not see his father until he was four years old, after returning to the Dominican Republic with his mother. It remains unclear whether they were separated again during his teenage years, as Polanco signed with the Twins at just 16.

Now on a two-year deal with the Mets, Polanco will have the chance to stay close to his father. If he performs well over the next couple of seasons, there’s a strong possibility he could earn another contract to remain in New York, both with the club and near his family, while already off to a modest .200 start at the plate.

Speaking to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Juan Soto said “we showed the world who’s the best team in baseball.” Now, by losing the game 1-2 to Team USA, some might say Soto is a sore loser. And that might be the case, but the fact is he also may have a point.

The Dominican Republic were a juggernaut throughout the tournament, and USA didn’t look as dominant. Sunday’s game was a thriller with plenty of great highlights, that ultimately ended with the stars and stripes getting the win in controversial fashion.

There’s reason for Dominican Republic to be sour

The game ended with a blown call that might go down as one of the worst in the WBC history. The Dominican Republic had the tying run at third. After seven pitches against Geraldo Perdomo, Miller opted for a slider that went far below the bottom of the strike zone. In fact, Perdomo was already about to walk to first. Then, Cory Blaser, the home umpire said it was a strike and it was game over.

Should he have a right call, the DR would’ve had the tying run at third, the winning run at first, and Fernando Tatis about to step up to the plate. It was a dream scenario for the Dominicans until the blown call happened.

It was not the first mistake against the Dominican Republic

Speaking to ESPN, Perdomo unleashed his wrath against the officials. It was not the first time Blaser rang up a batter on a below-the-zone slider. He did exactly the same in the eighth inning to Juan Soto. In fact, it was so egregious the replay showed the ball going below Soto’s knees.

Now, the United States will have to face the winner of Venezuela vs Italy. Venezuela have a loaded roster with Ronald Acuña Jr. as their main man. However, Italy already beat Team USA in the pool phase. Either way, it’s going to be a tough matchup.

Albert Pujols watched his club overwhelm Korea in a 10–0 quarterfinal victory, a game that highlighted the athleticism and instincts of Soto and Guerrero Jr.. Even without a barrage of home runs, the Dominican lineup consistently pressured the defense through aggressive baserunning and timely hitting.

After the game, Pujols emphasized how that approach could create problems for any opponent — including Team USA in the later stages of the tournament. “Speaking about Vladimir Guerrero and Juan Soto, maybe they are not the fastest runners, but they were aggressive on the bases,” Pujols said, according to MLB.com.

He also added, “When you have this kind of team that can damage you not only with the bat, but the way they play so aggressively, they know about the importance of this tournament for themselves, for the country, for our homeland.”

How did Guerrero Jr. spark the Dominican Republic offense?

The tone of the game was set early when Guerrero reached base with a walk in the second inning against former teammate Hyun Jin Ryu. Moments later, Junior Caminero drove a double into the left-field corner, giving Guerrero the opportunity to test Korea’s defense.

Racing around the bases, Guerrero approached home as the throw arrived ahead of him. Instead of sliding conventionally, the star first baseman launched into the air and stretched toward the inside of the plate, narrowly avoiding the tag to score the Dominican Republic’s first run.

Why does Pujols believe the lineup can trouble Team USA?

Pujols pointed out that the Dominican lineup’s value goes beyond raw power. With hitters such as Fernando Tatis Jr., Julio Rodriguez, Soto, and Guerrero capable of turning any play into a scoring opportunity, the team has created pressure on opposing defenses throughout the tournament.

With the Dominican Republic advancing deeper into the tournament, performances like this reinforce why the team remains one of the most dangerous contenders. If their mix of power and aggressive baserunning continues, the path to the World Baseball Classic title could eventually run through Pujols’ squad.