The Mets are getting a huge boost in their lineup on Wednesday night, as superstar Juan Soto returns from the injured list.
Soto hasn’t played since April 3 due to a calf strain, but he’s back in the lineup against the Minnesota Twins, serving as the DH and hitting second.
Soto’s return comes at a time when the Mets desperately need a spark, having lost 12 straight games.
Interestingly enough, Soto told reporters on Wednesday that he didn't reach out to his teammates during the skid, citing the fact that the team has mainly been on the road.
“No, not at all,” Soto said when asked he spoke to teammates to try to pick them up during the losing streak. “I mean, they’ve been on the road most of the time, so I haven’t talked to them.”
That being said, Soto did express confidence in the club to be able to rebound from their recent stretch.
“We have a great lineup,” Soto said. “We have guys going through tough times right now…. It’s tough when most of the lineup is going through it. It makes it hard to win games like that.”
“It’s tough to see it,” he added about the losing streak, “and it’s a little uncomfortable to see if from the outside…. It’s a tough time, but we’re going to get out of it.”
While the Mets lineup has been struggling to score runs lately, Soto had gotten off to a great start prior to his injury, slashing .355/.412/.516 with a home run and 5 RBI.
His presence in the lineup should make a huge difference for the Mets, and Soto is ready to get back between the white lines.
“To be back on the field is always great,” Soto said. “That's what we do this for - to be out there to share a good time with your teammates, to learn, to play the game you love"
“I don’t think there’s going to be any pressure,” he added. “I just need to be myself.”
When Christian Scott takes the mound on Thursday against the Minnesota Twins, it will have been 642 days since his last big league appearance.
Scott, a fifth-round pick of the Mets in 2021 was called up in May 2024, and right away it looked like he belonged, as he went 6.2 innings of one-run ball against the Tampa Bay Rays in his major league debut.
But after nine starts, Scott’s rookie season came to an early end due to Tommy John surgery.
It’s been a long road back to the majors for Scott, but he’s more than ready for the moment.
“I want it bad. I’m hungry for it,” said the right-hander, who pitched to a 4.56 ERA in his rookie season. “It’s tough to be away from the game for a year. Getting a little taste of it and then obviously getting surgery, but I feel like I belong here and gonna do what I can to stay here and help this team win as many games as I possibly can.”
The Mets are adding Scott to the rotation and having David Peterson pitch out of the bullpen, a move they hope will help them get back on track from what is currently a 12-game losing streak.
“Obviously, we’re in a little bit of a tough stretch right now, but we’ve got a really good ball club,” Scott said, “and if anyone’s going to get out of it, we’re going to get out of it. So, we’re excited for the rest of the season moving forward.”