It is still too early to determine whether star slugger Juan Soto will need an injured-list stint or not. After getting an MRI examination, it was revealed that Soto was diagnosed with a minor strain in his right calf.
Soto, who the New York Mets are listing for now as day-to-day, has been out of the starting lineup for a second straight game in San Francisco.
The Mets will decide on Soto sometime when they return to New York. Further evaluating him there to come up with a conclusion.
There are options the Mets can turn to if Soto needs to spend time on the IL. One player that isn’t, however, is veteran outfielder Tommy Pham.
Why Tommy Pham Is Not an Option
Pham, who the Mets signed to a minor league deal just hours before first pitch on Opening Day, won’t be joining the Mets — or a minor league affiliate for that matter relatively any time soon.
Because Pham, who was a Met in 2023, signed so late, the 38-year-old did not have a spring training. Instead, Pham has been taking swings and doing defensive work in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The club’s spring training complex, in preparation for the season.
Top Candidates to Potentially Replace Soto
Among the most logical options and top candidates for the Mets to potentially replace Soto are outfielders MJ Melendez and Nick Morabito.
Both are already on the 40-man roster. Meaning the Mets do not need to designate a player on the big-league squad for assignment.
Additionally, Soto’s potential IL stint would be retroactive to an earlier date, meaning he will need to sit out for a shorter required number of days.
In that case, rather than calling up A.J. Ewing, the Mets’ third-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline from Double-A Binghamton, or someone similar for, say, six days, calling up Melendez or Morabito seems the most logical decision.
Both outfielders had good springs in their own right. Melendez, 27, a former top prospect for the Kansas City Royals — signed a split contract (different salaries in majors and minors) over the offseason — but broke camp with Triple-A Syracuse.
Morabito, 22, was added to the Mets’ 40-man roster in November 2025, in protection of the Rule-5 Draft. A second-round pick back in 2022, Morabito is most known for his speed, having stolen 108 bases across the last two seasons.
If either of the two does get called up, don’t expect much playing time. The Mets have Tyrone Taylor, Brett Baty, and Jared Young, who can all play the corner outfield position.
Main Photo Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
