Juan Soto Returns With Go-Ahead RBI Single in Mets' 6-2 Victory Over Astros

Juan Soto returned from a 31-game absence to drive in the go-ahead run as the New York Mets defeated the Houston Astros 6-2.

Juan Soto returned to the New York Mets lineup on Saturday, delivering a go-ahead RBI single in the fifth inning to secure a 6-2 victory over the Houston Astros. The five-time All-Star, serving as the designated hitter and batting second, capped a seven-pitch battle against Cristian Javier by lining a 100.4 mph drive into right field. This hit sparked a three-run frame for New York, effectively halting a three-game losing streak. The victory came despite Soto fouling a ball off his right shin during the same at-bat, an incident that prompted interim manager Andy Green to consider an ejection to buy his slugger recovery time.

Soto’s appearance followed a 31-game stint on the injured list due to a strain in his left calf. Before this most recent absence, he had been sidelined for 15 games in April with a right calf strain. The outfielder, currently in the second year of a 15-year, $765 million contract, is batting .283 with 21 home runs and 53 RBIs through 85 games this season. His .941 OPS would currently lead the National League if he possessed enough plate appearances to qualify for the leaderboard.

Injury Recovery and Roster Adjustments

The Mets activated Soto without a formal rehab assignment, a move mirrored by his return from the IL earlier this year. To create space on the active roster, the team optioned infielder Eric Wagaman to Triple-A following a 3-1 loss to Houston on Friday night. During the 31 games Soto missed, New York posted a 17-14 record, a significant improvement over the 3-12 mark they recorded during his 15-game absence in April. The team currently sits in the National League East cellar following a substantial trade deadline selloff.

Soto noted that while he was unable to push his legs during his recovery, he focused heavily on upper-body workouts to stay prepared. The slugger indicated he expects to spend more time as a designated hitter than in left field in the immediate future to manage his calf health. He last played on July 24 against the Dodgers before the injury forced him out of action for over a month.

Strategic Lineup Management under Andy Green

Interim manager Andy Green expressed a willingness to get ejected if umpire pressure forced Soto to resume play too quickly after the shin injury. Green highlighted Soto's work ethic, noting that the veteran pushed himself behind the scenes despite the team's current standing. The manager now faces the task of rotating four primary outfielders: Soto, Luis Robert Jr., and rookies Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing. Green intends to find ways to get all four players into the lineup on a near-daily basis.

Luis Robert Jr., who missed three months earlier this season with a back injury, was held out of Saturday's contest for rest after playing four consecutive games. In his absence, converted infielder Brett Baty has seen time in left field. Soto’s return marks his first season with multiple IL trips since 2021, when he was a member of the Washington Nationals. The Mets' victory on Saturday represents a critical offensive turnaround after being held to one run the previous evening.