Mets' Juan Soto exits game with left calf soreness, set for MRI

New York Mets star Juan Soto left Friday night's 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers early. He exited in the sixth inning due to soreness in his left calf.

Soto is now scheduled to have an MRI on Saturday to assess the severity of the issue. This is a concerning turn for the Mets as the outfielder has already missed time this season with a calf strain in April and dealt with a recurrence just last week. To help manage the injury, the team moved him to the designated hitter spot for five of the team's last seven games.

Interim manager Andy Green spoke after the game about the decision to use the MRI, noting that the team is concerned about the recurring symptoms. Soto felt the discomfort sharpen while running to second base during the third inning.

Soto remains a key piece of the lineup despite the team's struggles this year. He has played 84 games with a .283 batting average and 21 home runs, maintaining an OPS that ranks among the top players in the league. With the trade deadline approaching on August 3, this injury creates uncertainty regarding his status for the remainder of the season.