Mets Injury Updates: Carlos Mendoza’s Insights on Key Players

The New York Mets have recently navigated through some tense moments with injuries, but manager Carlos Mendoza provided reassuring updates on two crucial players who were recently sidelined.

Juan Soto Returns

After exiting in the sixth inning of Tuesday’s loss to San Diego due to a foul ball hitting his left foot, Juan Soto made a swift recovery. He returned to the lineup on Friday, playing in right field where he went 1-for-4, including an RBI single. X-rays confirmed there was no significant damage to his foot, allowing him to miss just a game and a half.

• Season Performance: Soto has now played in 108 of 110 games this season, proving his durability in his first year with the Mets.
• Mendoza’s Comments: “He’s good to go,” stated Mendoza.

Francisco Alvarez’s Situation

In contrast, young catcher Francisco Alvarez remains on the mend after sustaining a head injury from a foul ball during Wednesday’s game. Although he did not appear in Friday’s match, Mendoza expressed optimism about Alvarez’s recovery.

• Concussion Protocol: Alvarez has successfully cleared each phase of the concussion protocol.
• Precautionary Measures: Mendoza stated, “We want to give him an extra day… to make sure that he moves around, catches a bullpen session, does all the defensive drills, does batting practice, and see what the response is.”

Mets’ Base Stealing Streak

In other news, the Mets are enjoying a notable achievement in base-stealing. With Soto’s career-best 16th steal, the team has now successfully stolen 29 consecutive bases. This streak marks the longest in Major League Baseball and the Mets’ best since they secured 35 straight steals between May 14 and June 29, 2023.

Career Highlights at the Plate

Mark Vientos contributed significantly to the game with a single, extending his hitting streak to a career-high-tying 10 games. Over this stretch, he boasts an impressive batting line of .343/.361/.486.

Roster Moves and Rehabilitation Updates

• José Castillo: The left-handed pitcher, designated for assignment last Sunday, cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse. He held a commendable 2.19 ERA in 14 games with the Mets this season.
• Brandon Waddell: The lefty pitcher, on the injured list since July 22 with a right hip impingement, is set to commence a rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Binghamton on Saturday.

A Tribute to José Buttó

Before their game, the Mets paid tribute to José Buttó, who recently transitioned to the San Francisco Giants. The fans responded warmly, acknowledging his contributions with applause.

• Game Performance: Buttó managed to record the last two outs of the eighth inning for the Giants while walking one batter.

Honoring Those Lost

In a somber moment, the Mets also held a moment of silence for Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, who passed away earlier this week, and Didarul Islam, a police officer tragically killed in a recent shooting in Midtown.

This blend of player updates, impressive stats, and heartfelt tributes encapsulates the state of the Mets as they navigate through a challenging but hopeful season. For continuous updates on sports, feel free to explore ESPN or MLB for the latest news and developments in baseball.