Mets Face Sweep Risk with Soto Doubt Against Padres

Juan Soto, the New York Mets' right fielder, recently left a game early after fouling a pitch off his left foot, though X-rays were negative and his status for the following game remained uncertain. Soto is having a solid season with a .252 batting average, 25 home runs, and 62 RBIs, though his recent performance since the All-Star break has cooled, batting .152 over 33 at-bats with some walks and a few home runs. His injury comes at a challenging time for the Mets, who have been struggling offensively with other stars like Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso in slumps. Despite these issues, the Mets aim to avoid a series sweep by the San Diego Padres, with right-hander Clay Holmes starting the upcoming game against struggling Padres pitcher Yu Darvish. Soto's ability to maintain a strong on-base percentage highlights his disciplined hitting, which remains crucial for the Mets' offense. The team and fans await updates on Soto's condition as they push to regain momentum in the season.