Mets Dealing with Injuries to Key Players Soto and Polanco

Manager Carlos Mendoza says roster flexibility is a challenge with the banged-up players.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:33pm by Ben Kaplan

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The New York Mets are facing roster challenges with injuries to outfielder Juan Soto and infielder Jorge Polanco. Soto is being evaluated for a right calf injury that could require an IL stint, while Polanco has been dealing with left Achilles tendinitis that has forced him to sit out games. Manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged the team's active roster may be down to 24.5 players instead of the usual 26 as they manage the injuries.

Why it matters

Injuries to key players like Soto and Polanco can significantly impact a team's lineup and roster flexibility, forcing managers to get creative with their lineups and roster moves. The Mets will need to find ways to stay competitive while their stars recover.

The details

Polanco returned to the lineup on Saturday as the designated hitter after sitting out the previous game due to his left Achilles issue. Mendoza said there will be days where Polanco feels the injury more than others. Meanwhile, the Mets are waiting to see if Soto's right calf injury will require an IL stint. Reliever Brooks Raley has been a bright spot for the Mets, posting a 2.15 ERA with 30 strikeouts and just 6 walks in 34 games since returning from Tommy John surgery last year. Infielder Marcus Semien snapped an 0-for-20 skid with a 3-hit game on Friday, and Bo Bichette has heated up lately, going 5-for-14 (.357) in his last 3 games.

  • On Saturday, Polanco played as the DH after sitting out the previous game.
  • Soto is being evaluated on Tuesday to determine if his right calf injury requires an IL stint.

The players

Carlos Mendoza

The manager of the New York Mets, who is dealing with injuries to key players on his roster.

Juan Soto

An outfielder for the New York Mets who is being evaluated for a right calf injury that could land him on the injured list.

Jorge Polanco

An infielder for the New York Mets who has been dealing with left Achilles tendinitis, forcing him to sit out games.

Brooks Raley

A relief pitcher for the New York Mets who has been a bright spot, posting a 2.15 ERA with 30 strikeouts since returning from Tommy John surgery last year.

Marcus Semien

An infielder for the New York Mets who snapped an 0-for-20 skid with a 3-hit game on Friday.

Bo Bichette

An infielder for the New York Mets who has heated up lately, going 5-for-14 (.357) in his last 3 games.

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What they’re saying

“Every year you know that you're going to be in situations like this where guys are going to be grinding and playing through something.”

— Carlos Mendoza, Manager

“There's going to be days where he feels it more. We have got two players that are a little bit limited, but that is part of it.”

— Carlos Mendoza, Manager

“The beginning of the season is always going to be tough, no matter what. Pitchers are always going to be ahead of the hitters. We're working extremely hard in the cage to make sure we feel good in the box.”

— Marcus Semien

What’s next

The Mets will wait to see if Juan Soto's right calf injury requires an IL stint after he is evaluated on Tuesday.

The takeaway

Injuries to key players like Soto and Polanco are a challenge for the Mets, forcing manager Carlos Mendoza to get creative with his lineups and roster moves. The team will need to find ways to stay competitive while their stars recover, but they have seen positive contributions from players like Brooks Raley, Marcus Semien, and Bo Bichette.