NEW YORK -- Mets outfielder Juan Soto vowed he would be back on the field before the end of the 2026 season, and on Saturday afternoon, that became reality.
One day after going through a full workout at Citi Field, Soto was activated off the injured list without going out on a rehab assignment. Infielder Eric Wagaman was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move.
Soto hasn’t played in a Major League game since July 24, when he suffered a left calf strain against the Dodgers. It marked the second time this season he was placed on the injured list, with the first IL stint occurring in April when he suffered a similar injury to his right calf.
“I put in the work. I feel I’m in a good spot,” Soto said earlier this week. “We are trying to test [the calf] and see how it feels. Definitely, we are at the point we have to see how it reacts the next day. But I feel good.”
Since the MLB Trade Deadline on Aug. 3, the Mets are 13-9, though they have dropped three straight entering Saturday's game against Houston.
“Winning is great and the sky is the limit. You never know. We are going to do our best. It’s not over until it’s over,” Soto said this week. “We are trying to stay positive, focus on one thing. The guys are doing that. We have a brand new clubhouse. We have a lot of guys with good energy, guys that want to play. I feel really good about it.”
In all, Soto has slashed .283/.408/.539 with 21 home runs and 52 RBIs in 84 games this season. The Mets are 40-44 when he is on the field. Soto has been known for his durability, playing 150-plus games in every full season since 2019. He has been sidelined for 51 games in 2026.