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Juan Soto Back in Lineup for Season Finale
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (hand) is starting in left field and will bat second for the 2026 season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Washington Nationals and left-hander DJ Herz, according to MLB.com. The Mets pulled Soto from Saturday's game early in D.C. after he was hit on his right hand by a pitch in the ninth inning, but thankfully, X-rays on his hand came back negative. The 27-year-old Dominican enters the final game of the season with only 395 at-bats in 2026 thanks to two separate trips to the injured list with calf injuries. When on the field for the Mets, though, the five-time All-Star continued to produce, slashing .278/.397/.522 with a .919 OPS, 27 home runs, 68 RBI, 63 runs scored, and nine stolen bases across 110 games and 477 plate appearances. Soto enters Sunday's contest with a .266 (25-for-94) average with five home runs and 14 RBI in 23 games played in the final month of the regular season. With better health next year, Soto is hoping that he can help get the Mets back into the postseason.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Juan Soto Hit by Pitch on his Hand, X-Rays Come Back Negative
New York Mets superstar outfielder Juan Soto (hand) left Saturday's game against the division-rival Washington Nationals early after being hit on the right hand by a 91.7 mph sinker, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Soto was in some clear discomfort, but X-rays on his hand came back negative. Before leaving the game, Soto went 2-for-4 at the plate with a strikeout. He was replaced in left field by Nick Morabito. It sounds like Soto avoided a serious injury, but with just one more game in the 2026 regular season, the Mets might hold the left-handed slugger out to close out another disappointing season for the Mets. The 27-year-old five-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger winner missed extended time this year with two separate calf injuries, but he still came into Saturday's contest with a solid .276/.395/.522 slash line, .917 OPS, 27 home runs, 68 RBI, 63 runs scored, and nine stolen bases across his 391 at-bats. With better health in 2027, Soto could quickly get back to elite five-category production for his fantasy managers.
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Andy Green Becomes Full-Time Manager, Agrees to Three-Year Contract
In a surprise move, the New York Mets announced on Tuesday that they agreed to a three-year contract with Andy Green to make him their full-time manager. The Mets have elected to remove Green's interim tag, and he will now be with the team through the 2029 season. Since taking over for previous manager Carlos Mendoza at the end of June, the Mets have gone 37-38. "Andy has connected with and pushed our players to perform, despite the disappointment of the season," owners Steve and Alex Cohen said in a statement. "Over the last several months, he has brought discipline, accountability and positivity to the clubhouse, attributes we were seeking in our next manager." Green was previously the Mets' vice president of player development before becoming the interim manager in New York. He managed the San Diego Padres for almost four seasons from 2016 to 2019 and went 274-366.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
A.J. Ewing Remains a Priority Speed Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 425 plate appearances in 2026, New York Mets outfielder A.J. Ewing is hitting .252/.322/.370 with eight home runs, 35 RBI, 48 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases. The 22-year-old's power has dried up in the second half of the season, as he's hit just one home run across 208 plate appearances since the All-Star break. Ewing's 25.4% strikeout rate is also a bit higher than is ideal, particularly given his power profile. However, Ewing's 9.2% walk rate allows him to get on base with enough consistency to get to his speed, which is his main appeal for fantasy managers. After going just nine for his first 15 as a base stealer in the big leagues, Ewing has been caught just twice in his last 16 attempts. For fantasy managers in need of speed, Ewing profiles as a priority waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mets Promote Outfield Prospect Nick Morabito
The New York Mets are calling up outfield prospect Nick Morabito from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, per MLB Pipeline. Morabito, who is considered the team's No. 13 prospect at MLB Pipeline, is getting another call to the big- league roster after hitting .254/.355/.388 with a .743 OPS, 13 home runs, 47 RBI, 42 stolen bases, and 73 runs scored across 114 games and 507 plate appearances in the International League. The 23-year-old right-handed hitter and former second-rounder in 2022 appeared in five games for the Mets earlier this year and went hitless in 12 plate appearances with no walks and nine strikeouts. It remains to be seen how long Morabito will stick around in Queens this time, but with Luis Robert Jr. now in Baltimore, he could be an option for outfield starts when the Mets face a left-handed pitcher. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues who are still looking for speed could look to add Morabito, but they should not expect much in the way of power. Morabito is not rostered yet in any Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB Pipeline
Source: MLB Pipeline
Orioles Claim Luis Robert Jr. Off Waivers From Mets
The Baltimore Orioles are claiming outfielder Luis Robert Jr. off waivers from the New York Mets on Monday, multiple people familiar with the situation told Chelsea Janes of SNY. The Mets gave up quickly on Robert after bringing him in to be their center fielder last offseason. He has played in only 58 games in 2026 due to a lumbar spine disc herniation in his back, and he has unsurprisingly struggled to a .223/.303/.399 slash line with a .702 OPS, 10 home runs, 23 RBI, 24 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 218 plate appearances. The Orioles will pay the remaining $5 million in salary that Robert is owed this year, and they will have a $20 million team option for 2027 that comes with a $2 million buyout. The buyout is more likely for the 29-year-old Cuban slugger unless he turns things around drastically in the final month of the regular season in Baltimore. Robert had 38 home runs, 80 RBI, and 20 stolen bases in 2023 with the Chicago White Sox, but that is the only season since debuting in 2020 in which he has capitalized on his power/speed potential. He is currently rostered in 43% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Luis Robert Jr. Gets Placed on Waivers
New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. was placed on outright waivers on Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. Robert missed nearly three months of action due to a back injury. He hasn't been much of a help to the Mets this season, but he has been hot at the plate since August. He's slashing .286/.342/.557 with six home runs and 11 RBI across 79 plate appearances in August. Given his recent success, the Mets are trying to see if any other organization is willing to claim him and take on his remaining salary for the rest of the season. It's not unusual for non-contending teams to place expensive veterans on waivers to see if another organization will bite. His fantasy value has been on the rise this season, but it could drop if he remains in New York. The Mets have little incentive to play Robert down the stretch of the season.
Source: Anthony DiComo
Source: Anthony DiComo
Juan Soto Back With the Mets
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (calf) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list by the Mets on Saturday. The 27-year-old went through a full workout on Friday, and with that being a success, the decision was made to activate him on Saturday and insert him back into the lineup. In his first game back, he is batting second in the lineup and is serving as the team's designated hitter. It's unclear how often he will play in the field down the stretch, but the important part for fantasy purposes is that he is back and will be at the plate. Fantasy baseball managers should activate him as soon as they can and play him daily for the rest of the season without any concerns.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
Juan Soto on the Verge of Returning From Injured List
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (calf) does not anticipate needing to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning from the 10-day injured list, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Soto said he is just about ready to rejoin the major-league roster, but he will know more after Friday. DiComo thinks that Soto's return from the IL "could happen in a matter of days." The left-handed slugger will not be back for Friday's series opener at home against the Houston Astros, but he could rejoin the starting lineup at some point this weekend. That is great news for managers with the fantasy playoffs coming soon. The 27-year-old Dominican All-Star has been on the IL two separate times in 2026 due to calf injuries in both legs, but he still has time to be a difference-maker in the final month of the regular season. Soto will be returning to a .283/.408/.539 slash line with a .947 OPS, 21 home runs, 52 RBI, 46 runs scored, and seven steals in 293 at-bats and will immediately be a must-start in all traditional fantasy leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Juan Soto Facing Live Pitching on Wednesday
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (calf) is facing a live pitcher at Citi Field on Wednesday, according to Chelsea Janes of SNY. Janes has heard that Sept. 1 could be a loose target for Soto's return from the 10-day injured list. If Soto is facing live pitching, his return might not be far off after missing the last month with a Grade 2 strain of his left calf, the second time he has gone on the IL this year with a calf issue (his other calf strain was to his right leg). The way things are trending, the All-Star left-handed slugger could come off the IL and rejoin the Mets' starting lineup without going on a minor-league injured list, much like how it went down in the first half of the season. The 27-year-old Dominican remains a must-start in all fantasy baseball leagues when he is healthy, as he has slashed .283/.408/.539 with a .947 OPS, 21 home runs, 52 RBI, 46 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 84 games across 359 plate appearances in 2026 in his second year in Queens. Soto last played for the Mets back on July 24 and was hitting just .218 (12-for-55) with an .842 OPS, four home runs, 13 RBI, eight runs, a stolen base, 18 walks, and 13 strikeouts in 17 games in July.
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Ryan Clifford Placed on Development List at Triple-A
New York Mets first base/outfield prospect Ryan Clifford was placed on the Development List on Wednesday amid a futile stretch of offense. Since returning from the injured list on August 9, the Mets' eighth-ranked prospect has been hitless in 22 consecutive at-bats over a six-game stretch with a 56.0 percent strikeout rate during that time. The struggles preceded the injured list stint, though, as he's also just 5-for-70 (.071) over his last 19 contests, which has pushed his season-long slash line to .175/.267/.344. When he connects, the ball goes a long way, with the 6-foot-3 slugger tallying 16 home runs in 104 games, but with one of the worst strikeout rates at Triple-A (38.2 percent) that culminated in a five-strikeout performance this past Sunday, the organization will now allow him to stay on the minor league roster while he works on mechanics and swing decisions outside of game action. Amid his struggles, chances of an MLB debut in 2026 were already fading, but this likely seals it, and fantasy managers need not consider the 23-year-old a stash option this year.
Source: SNY
Source: SNY
Juan Soto Vows to Return This Year
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (calf) made a vow that he will return to the Mets this season at some point. He doesn't have a clear timeline for his return after being diagnosed with a strained left calf at the end of July. Since then, he has made his way back onto the field and, as recently as Friday, was seen doing light on-field workouts and stretches, as well as some wind sprints. Still, while he has a ways to go before returning, he admits that he simply wants to get back on the field and help contribute to the on-field success the Mets have been enjoying as of late. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen, but the 27-year-old All-Star is looking to add to his totals of 21 home runs and seven stolen bases before the season comes to an end. Given his elite fantasy upside and the promising nature of this developing news, he is worth stashing in the hopes that he can return and help fantasy baseball managers down the stretch.
Source: Bill Ladson - MLB.com
Source: Bill Ladson - MLB.com
Ryan Clifford's Dismal 2026 Continues in August
New York Mets first base/outfield prospect Ryan Clifford has gone ice cold at the plate over the last month, going 5-for-55 (.091) over his last 15 games. The Mets' eighth-ranked prospect has had a forgettable season overall, but the recent downturn has pushed his slash line to .182/.275/.358 with a sky-high 37.3 percent strikeout rate that ranks the worst at Triple-A among qualified hitters. On the bright side, after a 29-home run campaign in 2025, the 6-foot-3 slugger has still been able to produce 16 long balls in 100 games for Syracuse in 2026, but it may do little for his chances to make an MLB debut this year. The 23-year-old looks like he needs more seasoning at Triple-A before making the jump, and fantasy managers in redraft leagues can safely leave him on the waiver wire for now.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Carson Benge Back in Sunday's Lineup
New York Mets rookie outfielder Carson Benge (wrist) is starting in right field and will hit cleanup for the Mets in Sunday's series finale against the hosting Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Jared Jones, according to MLB.com. Benge jammed his left wrist while making a catch against the outfield wall on Friday at PNC Park and was held out of the lineup on Saturday, but he's back on Sunday and should be returned to starting lineups where he's rostered. The 23-year-old former 19th overall pick from Oklahoma State University has been one of the pleasant surprises for the Mets in another disappointing season, slashing .270/.330/.412 with a .742 OPS, 13 home runs, 46 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and 61 runs scored in his first 422 at-bats in the major leagues. Benge has been seeing the ball well lately, too, going 15-for-39 (.385) with a 1.041 OPS, two home runs, two doubles, a triple, six RBI, seven runs scored, and two steals in his last 10 games, dating back to July 29. He probably deserves to be rostered in more than half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Carson Benge Out With Wrist Injury on Saturday
New York Mets rookie outfielder Carson Benge (wrist) is out of the starting lineup on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to a wrist injury that knocked him out of Friday night's game, according to MLB.com. Fellow rookie A.J. Ewing is starting in left field and will bat leadoff for the Mets against Pirates right-hander Bubba Chandler. Fantasy managers should consider Benge day-to-day after X-rays came back negative on his wrist after he crashed into the outfield wall while making a sliding catch on Friday at PNC Park. It looks like he avoided a serious injury, so he could rejoin New York's starting lineup as early as the series finale on Sunday. The 23-year-old former first-rounder from Oklahoma State University has been a solid source of counting stats across the board (mostly for speed) in all fantasy baseball leagues in 2026, as he entered the day slashing .270/.330/.412 with a .742 OPS, 13 homers, 46 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and 61 runs scored across his 422 at-bats. Benge has been swinging a hot bat lately, too, going 15-for-39 (.385) with two homers, two doubles, a triple, six RBI, seven runs scored, and two steals in his last 10 games, dating back to July 29.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
