Juan Soto might not recognize the Mets on Wednesday when he is scheduled to return from what will be a 15-game absence counting Tuesday’s series opener with the Minnesota Twins.
The Mets placed Soto on the injured list April 6 with a calf injury he suffered on April 3 in a victory over the Giants and New York was off to a 4-4 start.
They’ve missed the All-Star outfielder in countless ways.
Entering Tuesday, the Mets were 3-11 without Soto and carried an 11-game active losing streak, the longest for the franchise since 2004. The Twins had not named their Wednesday starter for the middle game of the three-game set with the Mets. Right-hander Clay Holmes (2-2, 1.96 ERA) is scheduled to start Wednesday for New York.
Soto, 27, hit safety in all eight games he played in 2026, has a .355 batting average and on-base percentage of .412.
“Even when he returns, we’ve still got to get it done. It would be unfair to just throw everything on him,” Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor said.
Soto had 43 home runs, 38 steals, scored 120 runs and drove in 105 in 2025, his first season with the Mets. He is a four-time All-Star.
