Mets' Juan Soto exits game with calf injury, MRI scheduled

The star outfielder left Friday's game against the Giants in the first inning due to right calf tightness.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 8:26am by Ben Kaplan

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball player running the bases, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange colors representing the dynamic motion and tension of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a star baseball player's injury highlights the fragility of athletic performance.San Francisco Today

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto exited Friday night's game against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning due to right calf tightness. Soto is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Saturday to determine the severity of the injury.

Why it matters

Soto is a key offensive contributor for the Mets, so any extended absence due to injury could significantly impact the team's playoff hopes. Calf injuries can sometimes linger, so the MRI results will be crucial in determining Soto's recovery timeline.

The details

Soto felt tightness in his right calf while running the bases in the first inning and was immediately removed from the game as a precaution. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said the team will wait for the results of Soto's MRI on Saturday before determining the next steps.

  • Soto left the game in the first inning on Friday, April 4, 2026.
  • Soto is scheduled for an MRI on Saturday, April 5, 2026.

The players

Juan Soto

A star outfielder for the New York Mets who left Friday's game against the Giants with a right calf injury.

Carlos Mendoza

The manager of the New York Mets.

San Francisco Giants

The opposing team that the Mets were playing against when Soto was injured.

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What they’re saying

“We'll have to wait and see what the MRI shows, but any time a player has to come out of the game with a lower body injury, you get concerned. We'll monitor Juan closely and do what's best for him and the team.”

— Carlos Mendoza, Mets Manager

What’s next

The Mets will wait for the results of Soto's MRI on Saturday to determine the severity of the injury and his timeline for return.

The takeaway

Soto's calf injury is a significant concern for the Mets, as he is one of their most important offensive players. The team will closely monitor his recovery and hope the MRI reveals no serious damage, allowing Soto to return to the lineup as soon as possible.