New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto was back in the lineup for the series finale against the Cubs on Thursday, returning after exiting Tuesday’s game with back tightness. The team avoided another stint on the injured list, which manager Carlos Mendoza described as a "good sign" for the club.
Soto, who also missed time earlier in the season with a calf injury, was batting third and serving as the designated hitter. MJ Melendez was in left field. Mendoza expressed satisfaction that Soto was available to play, rather than just as a pinch-hitter, after he missed both games on Wednesday.
Soto entered Thursday's game with a .299 batting average, a .965 OPS, and 17 home runs, serving as one of the few consistent offensive producers for the Mets this season. The team has been hampered by injuries to other key players, including Francisco Lindor, who recently returned from a calf strain, and Luis Robert Jr., Jorge Polanco, and Marcus Semien, who are currently on the injured list.
The Mets' hope that Soto's back issue would be a day-to-day situation proved accurate, as he avoided a lengthy absence. He previously missed 15 games in April due to a calf injury. The team considered Soto's return a rare break from a season marked by numerous setbacks.