Soto Returns To Mets Lineup After Calf Injury Layoff
The New York Mets activated outfielder Juan Soto from the 10-day injured list on Saturday, ending a monthlong absence caused by a calf injury. Soto batted second and served as designated hitter in the Mets' home game against the Houston Astros, marking his first appearance since July 24.
To create roster space for Soto, New York optioned infielder Eric Wagaman to Triple-A Syracuse. This was Soto's second calf-related injury this season; he also missed roughly three weeks in April with the same issue. floorball odds
Soto, a six-time Silver Slugger and five-time All-Star, has posted a .283/.408/.539 slash line through 84 games this season, with 21 home runs, 52 RBIs and a 164 OPS+, worth 2.7 wins above replacement. Per Statcast, he ranks in the 93rd percentile of MLB in average exit velocity, the 92nd percentile in barrel percentage and the 89th percentile in hard-hit rate. The 27-year-old is in the second year of his 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets, the largest deal in league history.
Soto's return comes at a difficult stretch for New York, which had dropped three straight games and four of its last five entering Saturday. The Mets sit at 60-75, last in the National League East and 13th in the NL overall, as the club looks for a boost from its star hitter down the stretch.
