New York has struggled offensively without its star, dropping into the worst position in the National League. After opening the season with three straight wins, the Mets have lost 11 in a row and are posting 3.27 runs per game, the lowest team mark in MLB. Their collective OBP sits at .288 and OPS at .624, both the worst in baseball this season.
Despite the drought, Soto has remained productive for the Mets, leading the club in OBP at .412 and OPS at .928 among players with at least 15 at-bats. The two-time Silver Slugger and recent MVP runner-up figures to be a critical catalyst if he can return close to full strength.
In Soto’s absence, left field has been manned by rookie Carson Benge, who has faced a slow start to his major league career. Through his first 19 games, Benge is hitting .143/.229/.206 and already has two errors, tying him atop the NL leaderboard in left-field mistakes.
The plan to activate Soto comes ahead of a challenging stretch, with the Mets hoping his return sparks a turnaround before the calendar turns. It’s worth noting that no team has ever recovered from a 12-game losing streak and gone on to reach the playoffs in the same season, underscoring the urgency of getting Soto back into the lineup.
This article drew on reporting from CBS Sports and Jon Heyman of the New York Post, and reflects the pending update on Soto’s status as the Mets aim to stabilize their offense.
