Mets activate star Juan Soto off IL ahead of Astros game

New York Mets left fielder Juan Soto. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Mets activate star Juan Soto off IL ahead of Astros game

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Aug 29, 2026 1:56 PM ET

The New York Mets have activated Juan Soto off the 10-day injury list (IL) ahead of Saturday's game against the Houston Astros.

He will bat second against the Astros and be the designated hitter. Soto was on the IL for over a month following a left calf strain retroactive to July 24. The outfielder didn't require a minor league rehab assignment.

In a corresponding move, the Mets optioned infielder Eric Wagaman to Triple-A Syracuse.

Prior to landing on the shelf, the 27-year-old Soto was batting .283/.408/.539 with 21 home runs, 52 RBI, 46 runs scored, and 7 stolen bases across 84 games.

Juan Soto is back from the injured list, the Mets announced. They optioned Eric Wagaman as the corresponding move for the active roster.
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) August 29, 2026

Can Juan Soto's return help spoil the Astros' success?

Soto's return to the lineup comes at a good time, as he owns a career .386 batting average with 22 hits, three home runs and 12 RBI across 16 games against the Astros.

While the Mets (60-75) are nowhere near the hunt in the NL wild-card race, as they are 12 games out of a final wild-card spot, they have the opportunity to spoil the Astros' success.

The Astros (68-67) are currently in a competitive AL West race where every win will be critical, and the Mets have nothing to lose against a team that is battling not to fall into a wild-card spot.

While the Mets dropped the first game of the series, 3-1, on Friday, they have the chance to bounce back and potentially win the series, wrecking the Astros' chances of remaining in the top of their division with the Texas Rangers only two games behind them in the AL West.

Bennett Sousa will take the mound for the Astros; he owns a 1-3 record and a 6.27 ERA and will face Mets' Nolan McLean, who's sporting a 9-8 record and a 3.21 ERA.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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