Mets star Juan Soto’s ankle X-rays come back negative, ruled day-to-day

The New York Mets avoided a major setback Wednesday after star outfielder Juan Soto underwent X-rays on his right ankle/foot that came back negative following an in-game injury scare against the Detroit Tigers. Manager Carlos Mendoza said Soto is considered day-to-day after fouling a pitch off the area near his ankle in the third inning of New York’s 3-2 extra-inning victory.

Soto was serving as the designated hitter when he fouled a 2-1 pitch from Tigers starter Framber Valdez off the top of his right foot, just below his shin guard. The 27-year-old immediately showed discomfort, kneeling near the batter’s box while trainers and Mendoza checked on him. Despite the pain, Soto completed the at-bat with a strikeout and later returned in the sixth inning, grounding softly back to Valdez.

However, Soto’s night ended in the seventh inning when MJ Melendez pinch-hit for him with runners on first and third in a tied game. Soto finished 0-for-3 with one strikeout before exiting. He later returned to the dugout as the Mets clinched the win in 10 innings on Carson Benge’s first career walk-off hit.

The injury update was a significant relief for a New York team already dealing with multiple health issues throughout the season. Earlier Wednesday, the team announced catcher Francisco Alvarez would undergo surgery for a torn right meniscus. Francisco Lindor, Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr., and Ronny Mauricio have also missed time, with Mauricio recently suffering a left thumb fracture.

Soto himself already missed nearly three weeks earlier this season because of a right calf strain. Since returning late last month, he had started all 19 games for the Mets after the team initially planned to ease him back into the lineup. Mendoza confirmed New York would reevaluate Soto on Thursday before deciding on his availability for the series finale against Detroit and the upcoming Subway Series against the New York Yankees.

The Mets improved to 17-25 with the victory after entering the day in last place in the NL East, and have now won six of their last 10 games. Soto came into the matchup batting .271 with a .366 on-base percentage, a .458 slugging percentage, four home runs, and 11 RBIs in 26 games this season.

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