Mets’ Juan Soto joins Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds in MLB history—what it means today

The MLB season resumed after the All-Star break with the New York Mets hosting the Philadelphia Phillies. As the lone game on the slate, the Mets opened the second half with a 4-1 win, signaling a solid performance despite a challenging first half. A standout moment from the night came from outfielder Juan Soto, who made history for the Mets.

Juan Soto Joins MLB Legends
Soto became the first player in Mets franchise history to record a hit and three or more walks in three consecutive road games, according to OptaSTATS data compiled by Greg Harvey. In MLB history, only Barry Bonds (2002) and Babe Ruth (1930) had previously achieved this exact feat on three straight road games. Soto now owns his 53rd career game with three walks, breaking a tie with Eddie Yost for the most such games before turning 28 years old.

Soto, in his second season with the Mets, had been enjoying a strong first half and earned his first All-Star selection. Going into Thursday’s action, he had 80 hits, 21 home runs, and 51 RBIs in 276 at-bats, while posting a .290 batting average and a .967 OPS.

Soto Leaves Game Thursday
Soto exited the Thursday game in the eighth inning due to left calf soreness. This injury was not related to a previous calf strain he suffered earlier in the season. Mets interim manager Andy Green indicated there was no cause for major concern, expressing optimism about Soto’s status. “We think he’s going to be fine,” Green said after the game. He noted that Soto experienced some calf soreness after playing in the All-Star Game and substantial activity in the days that followed, so the team chose to remove him from the game as a precaution. The expectation is that Soto will be back in the lineup this weekend.

The Mets have a rare mid-series off day on Friday, providing a window to evaluate Soto’s condition before their next matchup. Current indications suggest he will return to action on Saturday against Philadelphia.

Summary
– Juan Soto achieved a historic Mets milestone by recording a hit and three or more walks in three consecutive road games.
– Soto’s performance had positioned him as a key contributor in the first half, with strong across-the-board numbers.
– He exited the latest game with left calf soreness but is anticipated to return to play shortly, with a favorable prognosis from the manager.
– The Mets look to regroup over the off day and resume play on the weekend against Philadelphia.