The New York Mets are in the midst of an 11-game losing streak and a 7-15 start that’s the worst in the National League.
There’s good news on the way. Per multiple reports, All-Star slugger Juan Soto is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday from a 14-game absence due to a calf injury.
Soto sustained a calf strain on April 3 against the San Francisco Giants. The Mets placed him on the injured list two days later, and he hasn’t played since.
The Mets beat the Giants on April 3 to spark a four-game win streak and improve to 7-4. Since then, they’ve lost 11 straight games as their offense has gone stagnant. They entered Monday at 8.5-games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves in the NL East. Only the 7-16 Kansas City Royals have a worse record than the Mets in all of MLB.
After a day off Monday, the Mets will host the Minnesota Twins Tuesday night for the start of a nine-game home stand that also includes three-game series against the Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals. Soto is expected to return for the second game of the three-game series against the Twins.
The Mets desperately need an infusion of offense that they’re hoping Soto can provide. New York has scored two runs or fewer in eight of their games during the 11-game losing streak. With 72 total runs in 22 games, the Mets entered Monday with the fewest runs scored in MLB.
Soto’s a four-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger winner and batting champion. Prior to his injury, he was off to a strong start this season, his second with the Mets. In eight games, Soto has slashed .355/.412/.516 with 3 walks, 1 home run and 5 RBI.
Much of the rest of New York’s high-priced lineup has faltered early in the season.
The Mets have the second-highest payroll in MLB, only behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, and were projected to compete for the NL East crown and beyond. They’ll look to Soto’s return and their nine-game home stand against three teams without a winning record to turn their season around.
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