The New York Mets are just over a week into the season, but injuries are already becoming a concern, with some players dealing with new issues while others continue working their way back in the minors.
Juan Soto’s situation is one of the most pressing. Despite the team’s offensive surge on Friday, Soto exited after the first inning due to what appeared to be a calf injury suffered while running the bases.
He is set to undergo imaging to determine the severity, and any absence could force the Mets into difficult roster decisions.
If Soto misses time, attention shifts to Jorge Polanco, who has already been sidelined with Achilles tendinitis. Although he is reportedly improving, managing both Soto and Polanco out of the lineup would stretch the Mets thin.
The team may have to consider placing Polanco on the injured list if his condition doesn’t improve, as limited bench depth would make it challenging to navigate games effectively. Soto, if not fully sidelined, could also benefit from time as a designated hitter to reduce strain.
Meanwhile, pitching prospect Christian Scott had a rough regular-season debut. Returning from Tommy John surgery, he pitched 3.1 innings, allowing six earned runs while throwing 65 pitches. A positive takeaway was his control, as he issued no walks and consistently found the strike zone. However, he also gave up two home runs in the outing.
Scott is competing with Jonah Tong for a potential call-up, but with the Mets’ rotation already deep, including Sean Manaea and Tobias Myers as options, he may need more time in the minors—especially after a performance like this.
