Mets Star Soto Sidelined with Calf Strain

Outfielder expected to miss 2-3 weeks with minor injury

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:18am by Ben Kaplan

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball player in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of royal blue, orange, and white, conceptually representing the Mets' challenge in overcoming Soto's injury.Soto's injury leaves a hole in the Mets' lineup, but the team's depth will be tested as they look to overcome this setback.San Francisco Today

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto has been sidelined with a right calf strain, the team announced on April 4th. Soto, one of the Mets' top offensive threats, is expected to miss 2-3 weeks as he recovers from the minor injury.

Why it matters

Soto's injury is a significant blow to the Mets, who are looking to build on a strong start to the 2026 season. As one of the team's star players, his absence will put more pressure on the rest of the lineup to produce in his absence.

The details

Soto suffered the calf strain during the Mets' game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on April 4th. He was removed from the game and underwent further evaluation, which revealed the minor strain. The Mets have not provided a specific timeline for his return, but have said he is expected to miss 2-3 weeks as he recovers.

  • Soto was injured during the Mets' game against the Giants on April 4, 2026.
  • The Mets announced Soto's injury and expected timeline on April 4, 2026.

The players

Juan Soto

An outfielder for the New York Mets, Soto is one of the team's top offensive players and a key part of their lineup.

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What they’re saying

“Anytime you lose a player of Juan's caliber, it's a big blow. But we have a deep team and we're confident the rest of the guys will step up in his absence.”

— Buck Showalter, Mets Manager

What’s next

The Mets will have to adjust their lineup and find ways to replace Soto's production during his 2-3 week absence. They will monitor his recovery and provide updates on his status as he works to return to the field.

The takeaway

Soto's injury is a setback for the Mets, but the team's depth and talent should allow them to weather his absence and continue their strong start to the season. The focus will be on Soto's recovery and getting him back healthy as soon as possible.