Mets' Carlos Mendoza Announces More Bad News Amid Juan Soto Development

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Apr 28, 2026 4:33 PM ET

The New York Mets have endured a disastrous month of April, entering the final days of the month with just nine wins and a roster that has been hit repeatedly by injuries.

Shortstop Francisco Lindor is expected to miss months with a left calf strain, while outfielder Juan Soto recently returned after missing 15 games with a right calf strain. Without their two most important players consistently available, the Mets offense has struggled.

Several offseason additions have also struggled to make an impact, including outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who is in his first season in Queens after being acquired from the Chicago White Sox. Through 24 games, Robert has posted a .224 batting average, .327 on-base percentage, .656 OPS, two home runs and eight RBIs.

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) © Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

As the Mets prepare for Tuesday’s series opener against the Washington Nationals , the outfield picture shifted again. Soto was not in his usual spot in left field, and Robert was absent from the lineup entirely. Instead, Brett Baty, MJ Melendez and rookie Carson Benge handled the outfield duties.

Before the game, manager Carlos Mendoza explained the situation when speaking with reporters ( h/t Max Goodman of NJ.com). Mendoza said Soto has been dealing with left forearm tightness, an issue that surfaced over the weekend and has limited him to DH duties. Soto underwent an MRI, which showed no structural damage.

Mendoza also revealed that Robert’s absence was injury-related. The 26-year-old Cuban outfielder is dealing with lower-back tightness and is considered day-to-day, though an injured-list stint remains possible depending on how he responds over the next few days.

Luis Robert Jr. has lower back tightness, Carlos Mendoza said.

That’s why he’s out of the lineup today. He’s considered day to day right now.
— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) April 28, 2026

For the Mets, the news is deeply frustrating. Soto’s bat will remain in the lineup, which is critical given how dominant he has been, the 27-year-old left-handed slugger owns a .304/.418/.831 slash line through his first 46 at-bats.

But Robert’s setback is concerning, especially because injuries have been the biggest obstacle throughout his seven-year career. The hope is that this latest issue does not worsen.

For a Mets team already fighting to stay competitive, losing another key player would only make an already uphill climb even steeper.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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