The New York Mets received a massive sigh of relief on Thursday as superstar outfielder Juan Soto was back in the lineup, one day after an injury scare had fans holding their breath. Soto fouled a ball off his foot during Wednesday night's win over the Detroit Tigers, forcing him to exit the game early. While initial imaging showed no structural damage, the incident was enough to send a wave of anxiety through the Mets fanbase—especially given the team's already challenging season.

According to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo, Soto is batting third and serving as the designated hitter in Thursday's game. "Juan Soto is back in the Mets' lineup today, less than a day after exiting early due to a foul ball off his ankle," DiComo reported. The quick return suggests the worst-case scenario was avoided, and while Soto may not be at 100%, his presence in the lineup signals he's healthy enough to contribute.

For a Mets team sitting at 17-25 and currently riding a two-game winning streak, getting Soto back after what could have been another lengthy absence is a huge boost. The 25-year-old is hitting .263 this season with four home runs and 11 RBIs across 27 games, posting an .801 OPS that remains well above league average. While his production hasn't quite matched his usual elite standards, his bat is still a critical weapon—especially with Francisco Lindor sidelined.

This scare turned out to be just that—a scare. For Mets fans, seeing Soto's name back in the lineup is the kind of good news that can turn a rough season around, one at-bat at a time.