Mets Adjust to Life Without Star Slugger Juan Soto

New York's lineup looks to step up in the absence of their injured All-Star outfielder

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:04am by

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the action on the field and the team's need to adjust without their star player.The Mets' lineup must adapt to life without their star slugger Juan Soto, as the team leans on its depth to stay competitive in his absence.San Francisco Today

The New York Mets are dealing with the loss of star outfielder Juan Soto, who was placed on the injured list with a right calf strain. While Soto's absence is a major blow, the Mets have managed to stay afloat so far, relying on contributions from role players and bench bats. The team is taking a cautious approach with Soto's recovery, aiming to have him back in 2-3 weeks. In the meantime, Mets players like Francisco Lindor and Marcus Semien are stepping up to lead the team through this challenging stretch.

Why it matters

Soto's injury is a significant setback for the Mets, who were counting on the superstar slugger to anchor their lineup. However, the team's ability to win without him demonstrates their depth and resilience. This will be an important test of the Mets' championship aspirations, as they must find a way to stay competitive in Soto's absence against tough upcoming opponents like the Dodgers.

The details

Soto strained his right calf while running the bases during the Mets' series against the Giants last weekend. He was placed on the injured list on April 4, with the team expecting him to miss 2-3 weeks. Despite Soto's absence, the Mets have managed to stay afloat, going 4-1 since he landed on the IL. Role players like infielder Ronny Mauricio, outfielder Jared Young, and infielder Mark Vientos have stepped up with key contributions in Soto's absence.

  • Soto was placed on the injured list on April 4.
  • The Mets expect Soto to miss 2-3 weeks.

The players

Juan Soto

The Mets' star outfielder who is currently on the injured list with a right calf strain.

Francisco Lindor

The Mets' All-Star shortstop who is leading the team in Soto's absence.

Marcus Semien

The Mets' veteran second baseman who is emphasizing the team's depth and resilience without Soto.

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What they’re saying

“He's irreplaceable. He's a top-three player in the league. He's that good. As a team, we've always said that it's about sticking together at a time like this. Gather around him and be all together in this, and support him and play for each other. I hope this is a very short, very short IL for him.”

— Francisco Lindor, Mets Shortstop

“As a group we know we have a lot of depth in here. It's an opportunity for guys to play a little bit more. The main thing is we all have his back. And we'll just let him know, we'll all hold it down until he comes back. It's a little hiccup for him. But at the end of the day, we've been playing some good baseball.”

— Marcus Semien, Mets Second Baseman

What’s next

The Mets will face a tough test when they travel to Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers on Monday, their first matchup since June 2025. The team will continue to rely on its depth and younger stars to fill the void left by Soto's absence.

The takeaway

The Mets' ability to stay competitive without their star slugger Juan Soto demonstrates the team's depth and resilience. While Soto's injury is a significant setback, the Mets' younger players have stepped up, providing hope that the team can weather this storm and remain in contention until Soto's return.