New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto is in the lineup for Thursday afternoon’s home game against the Detroit Tigers. He had been considered day-to-day after leaving Wednesday night’s game with an ankle issue.
He will bat third and serve as the Mets’ designated hitter.
Soto fouled off a Framber Valdez changeup in the third inning, with the ball hitting him squarely on the right ankle. In obvious pain, Soto attempted to walk it off and finished his at-bat with a strikeout after a trainer examined his ankle. He stayed in the game and grounded back to the pitcher in the sixth inning but was lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh.
The Mets won 3-2 in 10 innings.
After the game, manager Carlos Mendoza said Soto was day-to-day. X-rays were negative.
Soto, 27, went on the injured list after straining his right calf running the bases in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants on April 3. He returned to play April 22.
In 11 games in May, the four-time All-Star is hitting just .146 (6-for-41) with one home run and three RBIs.
