Juan Soto’s Mets injury allowing New York to keep playing youngster who has struggled a ton

Juan Soto’s Mets injury allowing New York to keep playing youngster who has struggled a ton originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The New York Mets were hopeful that things would go as planned when entering the season after a brutal campaign in 2025.

The Mets made some impressive moves, but ultimately needed some of their stars to be healthy and play as well as expected. One of those guys is Juan Soto, still one of the best hitters in the world. Soto has unfortunately been dealing with an injury, and while that's never ideal, it's actually giving some leeway to another player on the Mets roster.

With Soto sidelined, the Mets are giving a longer look to rookie Carson Benge, even if the early results haven’t been where New York is hoping for right now. Anthony DiComo had the latest on the situation the Mets are currently dealing with. “Things haven’t gone swimmingly for Benge, who snapped an 0-for-24 skid Wednesday with a ninth-inning single,” DiComo wrote.

“But Soto’s absence, combined with Benge’s defensive skillset, may result in continued opportunities for the rookie. “Longer term, veteran Minor League signee Tommy Pham is ramping up with plans to be ready by the middle of this month. If Benge continues to struggle at the plate while Pham proves effective in the Minors, it could prompt the Mets to make a change.