Mets Announce Juan Soto Decision Before Reds Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Xavier Constantino | Last updated May 26, 2026 4:16 PM ET

The New York Mets, at 22-32, are sitting in last place in the National League East and have dropped six out of their last seven games. Already without shortstop Francisco Lindor, catcher Francisco Alvarez, infielder Jorge Polanco and outfielder Luis Robert Jr, the club's injury concerns extended to their biggest star heading into the week.

Through 37 games this season, Juan Soto is slashing .294/.390/.559 with 10 home runs, 21 RBI, five stolen bases and a .949 OPS. The 27-year-old is a four-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger Award winner who signed a record $765 million, 15-year contract with the Mets ahead of the 2025 season.

On Tuesday, the Mets announced their lineup for game two of their three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds, revealing that Juan Soto is back in the starting lineup after missing the team's last two games with an illness.

Starters ⚾️ #LGM pic.twitter.com/g0FMnvWFY1
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 26, 2026

Soto was a late scratch from Sunday's series finale against the Miami Marlins after arriving at the ballpark with a fever and body aches. Manager Carlos Mendoza noted that the flu-like illness was making its way throughout the Mets’ clubhouse for nearly a week.

Soto remained out Monday for the series opener against Cincinnati, with Mendoza saying that the star outfielder had developed another fever and was still weak.

The illness came at an already difficult stretch for Soto, who had missed 15 games earlier in the season with a right calf strain. His return gives the Mets a boost, who have struggled to generate consistent offense without him.