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Carson Benge Removed with Wrist Injury
New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge (wrist) was removed early during Friday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Benge appeared to have suffered a wrist injury while making a sliding catch in the third inning. The Mets pulled him after that, and he exited the game with left wrist soreness. Before leaving the game, Benge was 2-for-2 at the plate with two singles, two RBI, and one stolen base. The assumption is that he'll head for imaging to determine the severity of the injury. Fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked to see Benge absent from Saturday's lineup. For now, he should be considered day-to-day until more information is revealed. UPDATE: The New York Daily News' Abbey Mastracco reports that X-rays on Benge's left wrist came back negative.
Source: Abbey Mastracco
Source: Abbey Mastracco
Luis Robert Jr. Increases Value with Three-Hit Performance
New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. has really struggled to make an impact during his first year with the team. Due to injuries, Robert has played in fewer than 40 games this season. When healthy, Robert is posting a .189/.280/.307 slash line with four home runs, 12 RBI, and two steals. Robert finally came alive with the bat during Thursday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. Robert collected three hits at the plate in the 13-6 victory. Hopefully, it's a sign that Robert is finally turning the corner at the plate. Deep league fantasy managers might want to give him a chance because his overall upside might be worth the risk.
Source: baseba
Source: baseba
Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor Have Meeting to Work Through Differences
Former New York Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta called a meeting earlier this year for franchise cornerstones Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor to "clear the air," according to Jorge Castillo of ESPN. Since then, according to sources, Soto and Lindor's relationship has been "noticeably warmer, with the players interacting more often." Both players have denied that a rift between them has ever existed, but their relationship has been a hot topic ever since Soto signed a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract after the 2024 season. The discussion didn't stop after Soto's locker, which had been next to Lindor's, was moved across the clubhouse. The Mets dealt with injuries to key players early in the 2026 season and were never really able to recover, but Soto and Lindor's relationship behind the scenes has left tension in the building, which hasn't helped team chemistry in Queens. Although their relationship reportedly has improved, it's another dynamic to watch as the Mets look to put another frustrating season in the rearview mirror in 2027.
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Ryan Clifford Brings Power Bat at the Expense of Batting Average
New York Mets first base/outfield prospect Ryan Clifford has had a pretty good age-23 season at Triple-A Syracuse with 16 homers and 50 RBI in 356 at-bats. He has added 50 runs scored and eight stolen bases but has only hit .185. Clifford has a good power profile with 60-grade power, but his hit tool is graded out at 40. He struggled during July, hitting just .157, but did hit two homers with 10 RBI. At age 23, he could be a late-season call-up to the Mets as he is their No. 8-ranked prospect and can play first base or outfield. He could be a player who is relied on to hit for power, with little attention paid to his batting average and overall hitting tool. He could bring a boost of power to the Mets late in the season. Fantasy managers who are in desperate need of power could look Clifford's way but will need to be ready to take a potential hit in batting average.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Aidan Smith Headlines Prospect Haul for Mets in Trade With Rays
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Aidan Smith, along with two other prospects, is heading to the New York Mets in exchange for right-hander Freddy Peralta. The Rays bulk up their starting rotation, but it costs them three prospects. Smith is the most notable, as he ranked as the Rays' 15th-best prospect in their system. The Mets also acquired right-hander Gary Gill Hill and second baseman Emilien Pitre in exchange for Peralta. According to MLB Pipeline, Hill and Pitre ranked as the 26th and 27th-best prospects in the Rays system. Between the three, Smith holds the most upside, but he still needs time in the minor leagues. None of these players is likely to contribute right away, but it's not a terrible return on Peralta, who is a free agent after the season.
Source: Mark Feinsand
Source: Mark Feinsand
A.J. Ewing an Emerging Rookie Outfielder With Plenty to Offer
New York Mets rookie outfielder A.J. Ewing can contribute across all fantasy baseball formats and is getting enough playing time to make him relevant in mixed leagues to close out the 2026 campaign. In his first 69 major-league contests across 279 plate appearances in 2026, Ewing is hitting .268/.339/.411 with a .750 OPS, seven home runs, 12 doubles, 27 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 32 runs scored for the last-place Mets. He is hitting a modest .258 (24-for-93) with a .713 OPS, three home runs, five doubles, eight RBI, 14 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 23 games (102 plate appearances) in July, but he continues to contribute everywhere and has a high long-term ceiling, primarily for his speed and amazing contact skills at the plate. Ewing's work against lefties is also very encouraging, as he's gone 17-for-63 (.270) against them with two of his seven home runs on the year. Fantasy managers searching for outfield depth upgrades could do a lot worse than an emerging young player like Ewing off the waiver wire. Ewing is rostered in only 29% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Juan Soto Says He's "100 Percent" Will Play Again This Year
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (calf) said he's "100%" expects to play again this year, according to Chelsea Janes of SNY. Soto added that he thinks he's young enough to recover quickly while taking things day to day after the Mets placed him on the 10-day injured list over the weekend due to a Grade 2 strained left calf. The 27-year-old Dominican and five-time All-Star doesn't have a clear timetable for a return, though, so fantasy managers are going to have to be patient with the left-handed slugger as we head into August this weekend. At the very least, Soto is expected to miss three weeks of action after also spending time on the IL in the first half of the season with a right-calf strain. Until he can return, rookie outfielder A.J. Ewing is expected to be New York's primary left fielder. Soto has missed time this year due to injury, but when healthy, he has been his typical high-end fantasy self, slashing .283/.408/.539 with a .947 OPS, 21 home runs, 52 RBI, 46 runs scored, and seven stolen bases across his 293 at-bats. Keep him stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues, even though it might not be until late August when Soto is back.
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Mets Place Juan Soto on Injured List With Calf Strain
The New York Mets announced on Saturday that they placed outfielder Juan Soto (calf) on the 10-day injured list with a strained left calf and recalled infielder Eric Wagaman from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Soto, who already spent time on the IL in the first half of the season with a right-calf strain, has been bothered by his left calf since the first game after the All-Star break, and he was pulled from Friday's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers with more discomfort in his left calf. An MRI exam showed a Grade 2 strain, and interim manager Andy Green said that Soto will miss more than the two weeks that he missed in April with his right-calf strain. It's a major bummer for fantasy managers, as the five-time All-Star has hit 21 homers and 52 RBI in only 84 games this season. Soto must be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues while he heals. With Soto sidelined, the switch-hitting Jorge Polanco figures to be the Mets' primary designated hitter.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
Juan Soto Going for Imaging on his Calf on Saturday
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (calf) will get imaging done on his nagging left calf on Saturday after he was pulled from Friday's contest early against the Los Angeles Dodgers, interim manager Andy Green told Tim Britton of The Athletic. Green isn't ruling out a trip to the injured list for Soto. "This has nagged him for a week," Green said. "Anytime you get an image, you're concerned." The Mets haven't released their lineup for Saturday's contest at Citi Field against the Dodgers, but Soto almost certainly will not be in it. The 27-year-old Dominican All-Star spent time on the IL earlier this year with a right-calf strain, and he's been dealing with issues in his left calf since the first game following the All-Star break earlier this month. Since then, he has mostly served as the Mets' designated hitter to keep him off his feet as much as possible. Fantasy managers need to prepare for the possibility that Soto will miss more time going forward. In his ninth year in the league, he's hitting .283 (83-for-293) with league highs in on-base percentage (.408) and OPS (.947) while adding 21 homers, 52 RBI, 46 runs scored, and seven steals.
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton
Juan Soto Exits with Calf Soreness
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (calf) was forced to make an early exit from Friday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Soto was lifted for a pinch-runner in the sixth inning of this game. The team is saying that Soto was pulled from the contest due to left calf soreness. It's the same calf that gave Soto trouble last week, so this is something fantasy managers should monitor. Before leaving the game, Soto was hitless with two walks during Friday's loss. Interim manager Andy Green confirmed that Soto will undergo an MRI on Saturday. Fantasy managers should consider Soto as day-to-day, but should get a better timetable soon.
Source: Anthony DiComo
Source: Anthony DiComo
A.J. Ewing Remains a High-Upside Speed Threat on the Waiver Wire
Since being called up for his MLB debut in mid-May, New York Mets outfielder A.J. Ewing is hitting .274/.345/.426 with seven home runs, 25 RBI, 27 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across 251 plate appearances. The 21-year-old has struck out in 27.1% of his plate appearances, which is a bit of a concern for fantasy managers. However, Ewing owns elite speed, which allowed him to consistently run a high batting average on balls in play throughout his time in the minor leagues. Across 124 minor league games in 2025, Ewing hit .392 on balls in play and stole 70 bases. Ewing has also drawn walks in 9.6% of his big league plate appearances, which should continue to help him make an impact on the bases. In leagues where he's not already rostered, fantasy managers should target Ewing as a speed threat with upside on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Carson Benge Still Begging for More Waiver Attention
New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge has quietly been one of the more productive rookie bats in 2026 for the last-place Mets. Going into the weekend, he is slashing .263/.324/.397 with a .720 OPS, 11 home runs, 13 doubles, 40 RBI, 16 stolen bases, and 52 runs scored as a lineup regular through 99 games and 408 plate appearances in his first year in the big leagues. The return of Luis Robert Jr. from the injured list recently has made New York's outfield a bit more crowded, but the 23-year-old former 19th overall pick from Oklahoma State University in 2024 has earned consistent playing time the rest of the way in what has become a lost season for the Mets. Benge can contribute across the board for fantasy managers and has stayed hot in 16 games in July, going 18-for-61 (.295) with an .805 OPS, two home runs, three doubles, eight RBI, five stolen bases, and eight runs scored across his 69 plate appearances. Fantasy managers are slowly catching on, but Benge is still rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues, so he remains widely available.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Brett Baty Heating Up in July, Re-Emerging as a Viable Streaming Option
New York Mets utility man Brett Baty has had a rough season overall in 2026, hitting .223/.295/.331 with six home runs, 33 RBI, 38 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 343 plate appearances. However, the 26-year-old has begun to turn it on in July, hitting .281 with three home runs, 11 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 60 plate appearances so far this month. Baty has shown he can be a productive big-league hitter in the past, hitting .254 with 18 home runs and eight stolen bases across 432 plate appearances in 2025. The lefty swinger profiles more as a platoon bat, as he owns a .535 OPS across 297 career plate appearances against left-handed pitching. Still, Baty can be a useful streamer for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire, particularly given his multi-positional eligibility.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Clifford's Game Solid Despite Low Batting Average
New York Mets prospect Ryan Clifford has put together a nice season at Triple-A Syracuse, but his batting average remains very low. His productivity is solid with 16 homers and 47 RBI to go with 48 runs scored and seven stolen bases, but he is hitting just .192. Clifford has continued to produce, but hit just .099 in the month of June over 81 at-bats. The first base/outfielder is the No. 2 overall prospect in the Mets' system but will likely need to improve his overall hitting before receiving a shot at a big league debut. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter grades out at just a 45 hit tool, but does boast 60 grade power. So the low batting average might come as part of the package with Clifford. He is the top position player in the Mets' farm system, so he could get a look this season depending on New York's moves. Fantasy managers may have to deal with a low batting average as part of Clifford's game, but he does have good upside in other categories.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Mets Reinstate Luis Robert Jr. From 60-Day Injured List
The New York Mets announced on Monday that they reinstated outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (back) from the 60-day injured list and optioned infielder Eric Wagaman to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. It's unclear yet whether Robert will be back in New York's starting lineup for Monday's series opener on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, but if he is, fantasy managers in traditional leagues and DFS should fade Robert. Now that he's back, the 28-year-old Cuban will likely split his time between designated hitter and center field. He'll be returning for the first time since late April. Before his injury, Robert struggled with a .224 average (19-for-85) with two homers, eight RBI, 10 runs scored, and two stolen bases across his 24 games and 98 plate appearances. Robert has mostly teased power/speed upside in his MLB career, but he did hit 38 homers, drive in 80, and steal 20 bags in 2023 with the Chicago White Sox. For the power/speed possibility alone if he can stay healthy in the second half, Robert is worth a look off the waiver wire in fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
