Juan Soto Exits Game with Foot Injury, Raising Concerns for Mets
New York Mets star outfielder Juan Soto was forced to leave Tuesday night’s game against the San Diego Padres after suffering a foot injury. The team later confirmed that Soto was diagnosed with a foot contusion after fouling a pitch off his foot during a fourth-inning at-bat. Though he managed to complete the at-bat by grounding out, Soto did not return for the bottom half of the inning. His departure prompted a series of defensive adjustments—Tyrone Taylor took over in center field, shifting Jeff McNeil to right, and Starling Marte eventually entered the game as a pinch-hitter, returning McNeil to center.
The injury comes at a critical time for the Mets, who are in the middle of a pivotal series with the Padres just ahead of the MLB trade deadline. While the Mets have already made a move to reinforce their bullpen by acquiring reliever Gregory Soto, Juan Soto’s health now adds an unexpected wrinkle to their strategy. The team had been expected to target starting pitchers ahead of the deadline, and Soto’s injury may now accelerate those efforts.
Despite missing out on this year’s All-Star Game, Soto has had a standout season in his debut year with the Mets. He’s tallied 25 home runs, leads Major League Baseball with 84 walks, and boasts a team-best .875 OPS. Living up to the record-setting contract he signed, Soto has been a cornerstone of the Mets’ offense.
The Mets’ rotation, however, remains a point of concern. Sean Manaea has only recently returned to full strength, while Griffin Canning is out for the season. Clay Holmes, though reliable in relief, has not proven himself as a starter, leaving the team in urgent need of pitching reinforcements.
If Soto’s injury proves to be serious, the pressure to add depth increases even further. Even if he returns quickly, the urgency to bolster the rotation remains. Mets fans now anxiously await further updates on Soto’s condition as the team continues its crucial road series in San Diego.
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