Just when it appeared the New York Mets were finally gaining momentum, a fresh injury concern emerged Tuesday night at Citi Field. Superstar outfielder Juan Soto exited the team’s 9-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs after four innings, citing left-side back tightness. This development serves as a significant hurdle for a Mets roster that has spent much of the season navigating a series of setbacks to key contributors.
Soto appeared visibly uncomfortable from the start of the contest. The four-time All-Star grimaced after making contact during both of his at-bats—first on a fly ball to left field in the opening inning and later on a line drive to center in the third. Observers noted him using a heating pad in the dugout before his eventual removal from the game.
Following the loss, manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that Soto received treatment during the contest but reached a point where the discomfort hindered his ability to perform at a high level.
“He got treatment during the game, but you could tell something was off,” Mendoza said. “It was bothering him to throw and to get his ‘A’ swing on it. At that point, it was best to get him out of the game.”
The Mets are currently listing Soto as day-to-day. This injury scare arrives at a critical juncture for New York. Soto has been the offensive engine for much of the season, entering Tuesday batting .299 with 17 home runs and a .965 OPS across 61 games. Having already missed time earlier this year with a calf strain—a period during which the team struggled significantly—the Mets are understandably cautious regarding his health.
Ironically, this setback surfaced just as the club appeared poised to welcome another cornerstone back to the lineup. Francisco Lindor, sidelined since April with a calf strain, continued his rehab assignment Tuesday at Triple-A Syracuse, recording two hits and two runs scored over eight innings. Mendoza indicated that Lindor could be activated as soon as Wednesday, potentially during the team’s scheduled doubleheader against Chicago.
Whether Lindor’s return can mitigate the uncertainty surrounding Soto remains to be seen. For a Mets club fighting to climb back into contention, the health of its two biggest stars will likely determine the trajectory of the season. The organization is expected to evaluate Soto further before determining his availability for the upcoming series.
