Mets’ Juan Soto to undergo MRI after exiting Friday’s game with right calf tightness

Mets left fielder Juan Soto exited Friday’s game against the San Francisco Giants due to right calf tightness.

Tyrone Taylor replaced Soto in the bottom of the first inning.

After leadoff-batting shortstop Francisco Lindor‘s game-starting single to left field against Tyler Mahle, Soto singled to right-center field and appeared to come up gingerly on a run from first base to third during third baseman Bo Bichette‘s subsequent RBI knock that scored Lindor.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that the injury occurred when he was running first to third, and the slugger hoped that his calf would loosen up while standing on third. It did not, instead getting tighter, so he came out of the game once he was out at a force play at home.

“We don’t have much other than what was announced,” Mendoza said after Friday’s win. “He’s going to get imaging tomorrow and we’ll see what we’re dealing with. There’s obviously concern. Every time you send a player for MRI, those calf areas can be tricky. We have to wait, but obvioulsy concern.”