Soto Injury Scare
Mets Star Juan Soto Leaves Cubs Game with Apparent Back Injury, Status Unclear
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Key Points
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Lindor’s calf rehab is being tracked at Triple-A Syracuse, and the report suggests it could be his final rehab assignment before a potential return to the Mets.
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Soto was seen wearing a wrap on his lower back in the early innings, adding detail to the injury concerns surrounding him.
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In his two at-bats before exiting, Soto went 0-for-2 with two flyouts, aligning with the briefactivation of concern about his on-field production during the incident.
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ESPN reported Soto was taken out to start the fifth and had been wearing what looked like a heating pad on his back earlier, with the reason for his removal still undisclosed.
Juan Soto left Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs after just four innings with left side back tightness, the Mets confirmed ESPN. Cameras had already captured Soto wearing a heating pad on his lower back in the dugout during the second inning, and he went 0-for-2 with two flyouts before being pulled to start the fifth NBC Sports.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said the team would "re-evaluate" Soto the next morning, adding: "We have to see what we're dealing with... he's been playing through a lot. We're holding our breath" TSN. No imaging results were released immediately.
Mets Shuffle Lineup as Soto Exits in Fifth
When Soto was pulled, Jared Young shifted from first base to left field and Mark Vientos entered at first base NBC Sports. The move was confirmed by reporters Jorge Castillo and Pat Ragazzo, who first described the exit as "precautionary" based on dugout sources before the team issued its official diagnosis of "left side back tightness."
"Left side tightness" can point to oblique or lat muscle issues, which typically require three to six weeks of recovery CBS Sports. The Mets have not confirmed whether Soto will need an IL stint, but morning imaging results are expected to drive that decision.
Soto's Back Trouble Piles Onto a Brutal 2026
This is not Soto's first health scare this season. He missed 15 games in April with a right calf strain. During that stretch, the Mets went 3-12, including a 12-game losing streak. The team now sits 34-44, ten games below .500 and last in the NL East New York Post.
Soto is still producing at an elite level when healthy — slashing .301/.398/.574 with 17 home runs and a .974 OPS in 61 games, ranking him in the top three in the NL ESPN. But the Mets have seen their two highest-paid players share the field for just 12 of 78 games this season.
Lindor's Return Offers Hope but Can't Fill Soto's Shoes
Francisco Lindor completed what is expected to be his final rehab game Tuesday night with Triple-A Syracuse, going 0-for-4 NBC Sports. Lindor has been out since April 22 with a severe left calf strain. The Mets could activate him as soon as Wednesday or Thursday.
His return is good news, but it lands at the worst possible moment. Lindor's job is to protect hitters like Soto in the lineup. If Soto hits the IL, that protection disappears. The Mets may instead rely on a rotation of Young, Vientos, and newly recalled MJ Melendez to fill the void My Central Jersey.
Trade Deadline Decisions Loom as Roster Crisis Deepens
Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million deal in December 2024 — the largest contract in professional sports history. Even a short IL stint for him could shift the Mets from trade deadline buyers to sellers New York Post. Assets like Bo Bichette and Tyrone Taylor could suddenly become available.
The broader roster has been hit hard all season. Lindor, Christian Scott, and Ronny Mauricio have all missed significant time. Soto has carried the offense almost alone, which analysts at ESPN say may itself have caused the back issue through overcompensation. Morning imaging will determine whether the Mets' season continues — or effectively ends.
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