Juan Soto Day-to-Day After Ankle Scare, Mets Avoid Major Injury Blow

The New York Mets avoided a potentially significant setback on Wednesday night after star outfielder Juan Soto underwent precautionary X-rays on his right ankle and foot that returned negative results. The injury scare occurred during a tightly contested 3-2 extra-inning win over the Detroit Tigers.

Soto, serving as the designated hitter, was hurt in the third inning when he fouled a pitch off the top of his right foot near the ankle area. The impact came just below his shin guard, immediately drawing concern from both the dugout and training staff.

The 27-year-old showed visible discomfort after the play, briefly dropping to a knee near home plate as manager Carlos Mendoza and team trainers checked on his condition. Despite the pain, Soto remained in the at-bat and struck out but stayed in the game for several innings afterward.

Although he eventually exited later in the contest, the Mets were able to secure the win in 10 innings, while early medical tests provided relief that the injury was not serious.

1. Game Incident And Immediate Response

Soto’s injury unfolded in the third inning when a 2-1 pitch from Tigers starter Framber Valdez was fouled directly off his right foot. The ball struck just below the protective guard, creating immediate concern given Soto’s recent workload and previous injury history. After taking a moment to gather himself, Soto completed the at-bat despite noticeable discomfort. His resilience allowed him to remain in the game temporarily, but the Mets’ training staff continued to monitor him closely between innings. He later returned to action in the sixth inning, where he grounded softly back to the pitcher, showing he was still capable of playing but not at full strength. However, the situation became more cautious as the game progressed into higher-leverage moments. In the seventh inning, with the game tied and runners on base, Soto was lifted for a pinch hitter, signaling that the Mets were prioritizing his health over immediate offensive need.

2. Medical Update And Short-Term Outlook

Following the game, the Mets received encouraging results when X-rays on Soto’s right ankle and foot came back negative. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that the star outfielder is considered day-to-day and will be reassessed before the next game. The team plans to re-evaluate Soto on Thursday ahead of the series finale against Detroit, as well as upcoming key matchups, including the Subway Series against the New York Yankees. His availability will depend on how the ankle responds overnight and during treatment. The positive diagnosis is particularly significant for a Mets roster that has been heavily impacted by injuries throughout the season. Earlier in the same day, catcher Francisco Alvarez was ruled out for surgery due to a torn meniscus, adding to a growing list of sidelined players. Soto himself had recently returned from a nearly three-week absence caused by a calf strain earlier in the season. Since rejoining the lineup, he had started all 19 games, highlighting both his importance and the team’s reliance on his bat.

3. Season Context And Team Impact

The Mets entered the game in last place in the NL East but improved to 17-25 with the extra-inning win, marking six victories in their last 10 games. Despite their record, the team has shown signs of stabilization in recent weeks. Soto’s presence in the lineup has been central to that progress, as he came into the game hitting .271 with a .366 on-base percentage and a .458 slugging mark, along with four home runs and 11 RBIs across 26 games. Given the number of injuries across the roster, including absences from key contributors such as Francisco Lindor, Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr., and Ronny Mauricio, the Mets have been especially cautious with player health management. For now, the organization will hope Soto’s injury remains a short-term issue, as his availability will be critical for both upcoming division games and the team’s broader efforts to climb back into contention.