Nationals' OF Juan Soto leaves game with left calf pain; will undergo MRI

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/3/22

Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto left Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Miami Marlins with a left calf injury.

Originally thought to be a hamstring issue, Nationals' manager Dave Martinez clarified that Soto left the game with left calf pain, adding the All-Star would undergo an MRI.

Soto reportedly stretched the calf before his second at-bat Sunday but left the game before the start of the fifth inning.

"He went up there and hit, and he said it was fine," Martinez said. "And all of a sudden he ran and came back and said it was tightening up on him."

The injury derails Soto's recent hot streak. Entering action on Sunday, Soto was riding an eight-game hitting streak, batting .346 with four doubles, a home run, and 2 RBI over that stretch.

Soto is batting .226/.378/.449 with 15 home runs and 33 RBI in 78 games for the Nationals this season.

The Nationals and Soto are reportedly amid ongoing negotiations on a long-term contract extension. Last week, a report from z101digital's Hector Gomez emerged, claiming the Nationals offered Soto a 13-year, $425M deal.

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