Mets' Juan Soto Achieves Career-First Against Rockies

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated May 6, 2026 9:54 PM ET

New York Mets star outfielder Juan Soto began the 2026 season as the best hitter on his team, as he tore up the baseball through the first week. However, a right calf strain landed Soto on the injured list and sidelined him for 15 games.

Since coming back on April 22, he has been trying to get back to his early-season form. After a phenomenal series against the Washington Nationals last week, going 6-for-12 at the plate with a pair of home runs, Soto's bat has cooled off. Going into Wednesday's matchup against the Colorado Rockies, Soto had gone hitless in his previous nine at-bats.

He turned that mini slump around instantly in his first plate appearance on Wednesday.

In the top of the first inning, Soto took the first two pitches from Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen. On the third pitch, the 27-year-old Dominican Republic native got a hanging curveball and hit it 435 feet out to left-center field.

This long ball gave the Mets a lead to begin the game and notched Soto the first leadoff home run of his career.

"Juan Soto's first career leadoff home run!" said SNY on X.

Juan Soto's first career leadoff home run! pic.twitter.com/KJfHqgetUq
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 7, 2026

Soto was moved to the leadoff spot in the Mets' batting order by manager Carlos Mendoza when New York began its series against the Rockies on Monday. Mendoza did this to spark something in the Mets' offense, which has been lackluster to begin the season.

Before Monday, the four-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger recipient had not batted leadoff since May 30, 2021, when he was on the Nationals.

Soto, who went into Wednesday's game hitting .301 on the year, notched his fourth homer and ninth RBI of the season with his leadoff bomb.

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

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