The New York Mets are stuck in a brutal six-game losing streak, a skid that has featured three shutouts and a sputtering offense. Just when they need a spark, the latest update on superstar Juan Soto is not the news they wanted to hear.

According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, Soto's recovery from a calf injury has hit a snag. The slugger has yet to begin running at full speed, a clear sign that his return to the lineup is not imminent. While the initial hope was for a return before the end of April, this development suggests he could be sidelined into May.

For a team in desperate need of offensive firepower, this is a tough blow. Soto, the 27-year-old cornerstone of the franchise, is in the second year of a historic 15-year, $765 million contract. The Mets absolutely cannot afford to rush him back and risk a more serious setback. Patience, however difficult, is the only responsible path.

In the meantime, the Mets' high-profile lineup—featuring the likes of Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette, and Luis Robert Jr.—has to find a way to produce without its biggest bat. The season is a marathon, not a sprint, and getting a healthy Soto back for the long haul is the ultimate priority, even if it means weathering a few more storms in the short term.