Mets' Juan Soto day-to-day after MRI reveals minor calf strain, will be re-evaluated after 48-72 hours

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto is day-to-day with a strained right calf and the team will wait 48 to 72 hours before deciding whether he needs to go on the injured list.

Manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters the team will wait on Soto’s status until returning to Citi Field after Sunday’s game versus the San Francisco Giants. The Mets are off Monday, then begin a six-game homestand Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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Soto underwent an MRI exam Saturday, which revealed a mild calf strain. That result was a surprise to Soto because he said he felt much better in the morning. Mendoza added he didn’t expect Soto to be walking as well as he did when seeing him in the clubhouse.

"Give it 48, 72 hours, see how he continues to progress,” Mendoza said, via SNY. “I was surprised when I saw him today the way he was moving around, but [calf injuries] are tricky. We'll wait, we'll continue to call it day-by-day until we have to make a decision."

Soto sustained the injury while running the bases in the first inning of Friday’s 10-3 win over the Giants.

On a single by Bo Bichette, Soto appeared to slow up as he rounded second base, though he got the stop sign from third-base coach Tim Leiper. Soto left the game after the inning ended, replaced in left field by Tyrone Taylor.

“I’ve experienced calf tightness before,” Soto said, via MLB.com. “This is definitely not the worst I’ve felt. So I feel positive with that.”

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Soto elaborated, explaining that the calf strain felt similar to an injury he suffered in 2022 with the Washington Nationals. He also left that game, but started the next day. He told reporters that playing Sunday was a possibility, but Mendoza nixed that idea.

"We're going to test it, definitely, with the trainers in the training room,” Soto said, via SNY. “I don't think we're going to run or anything like that, but we're going to see how much strength I have and how much I can push off it."

Soto has gotten off to a hot start, getting at least one hit in each of the Mets’ first eight games. He’s hitting .355/.412/.516 with two doubles, one home run and five RBI in 34 plate appearances.