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Juan Soto #22 and Luke Weaver #30 of the New York Mets celebrate after defeating the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field on April 22, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Things have not gotten any better for the New York Mets since Juan Soto returned from a calf injury. Sure, Soto is hitting well, and the Mets have run into a handful of wins, but the Mets are fighting to take the series from the Washington Nationals after an embarrassing 14-2 loss on Wednesday.

New York is 10-20 this season and sits 11.5 games back of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. It’s been a disastrous season so far, but the season must continue. As for Juan Soto, he’s been dealing with a forearm injury that has led to him being the Mets’ designated hitter for the last handful of games. Before the Nationals game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza cleared the air on when Soto may return to the outfield.

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Mets’ Carlos Mendoza Provides Juan Soto Update

GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 24: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets takes a moment before the game against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field on April 24, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Mets reporter and writer Jorge Castillo wrote (via X):

“Juan Soto could return to playing the outfield this weekend in Anaheim, Carlos Mendoza said. Soto was initially limited to DH coming off a calf strain last week before dealing with forearm tightness.”

You can’t blame all the losses on injuries, but the Mets have gone through the wringer to some extent in terms of injuries. Francisco Lindor is also missed at the moment, and likely won’t return for another few weeks.

Juan Soto commented on Francisco Lindor’s situation yesterday:

“I think it’s really tough seeing a player like that, a true superstar like Francisco, who impacts the game both offensively and defensively. He’s exactly the kind of talent any team would love to have in their lineup every single day. It’s unfortunate what happened to him, but we’re all hoping and praying for a full and speedy recovery. We’ll be right here waiting for him.”

Other Mets fans may want to scapegoat manager Carlos Mendoza. After Alex Cora and Rob Thomson were both relieved of their duties, Mendoza remains as the Mets’ clubhouse leader.

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Juan Soto Since Returning to the Mets

GettyJuan Soto is widely regarded as the best player on the Mets.

Juan Soto returned from his calf injury on April 22. In the seven games since his return to the lineup, the Mets are 3-4.

Soto has seven hits and three extra base hits (one home run) since April 22, and is now hitting .327 with an OPS+ of 173 over 15 total games.

It’s unclear what this recent Juan Soto news means with his return to the lineup, but despite contrary belief, Soto is a pretty serviceable outfielder, and if you don’t think he is, why would the Mets move him from the DH spot to the outfield if he was *that bad*?

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