Juan Soto Scratched from Mets Lineup Due to Flu-Like Illness

Sunday, the New York Mets removed Juan Soto from the lineup for the series finale against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. Soto, slated as DH and third batter, was replaced by MJ Meléndez (DH) and A.J. Ewing (third). The Mets were shut out 4–0, extending their series loss to three games.

Juan Soto is out of the Mets' lineup due to flu-like symptoms

The Mets entered the series at 22-30, last in the NL East and 13.5 games behind Atlanta. Their offense has produced only two runs in the first two Miami games. The club also lacks shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) and has dealt with absences of Francisco Alvarez, Luis Robert Jr., and Jorge Polanco. Illness has spread through the clubhouse, compounding these challenges.

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Soto leads the Mets with a .294/.390/.559 line, .949 OPS, 10 homers, 21 RBIs and 40 hits in 37 games. In his last seven games he posted .333/.419/.778 with four homers and seven RBIs. The Mets scored 16 runs in a win over Washington and 14 in the last five games. The payroll is $380 million, second in MLB, yet it has lost four of its last six road contests.

Juan Soto Scratched From the Mets' Lineup With Illness

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Soto arrived with fever, body aches and general malaise, symptoms matching a flu-like illness affecting several clubhouse members this week. Mendoza stressed that Soto’s health was the priority and the team hopes for a quick recovery. The Mets announced the lineup change without citing an injury, confirming the absence was health-related.

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Social-media users criticized the timing, noting Soto is “the only player on the Mets that’s hitting” and warning that his loss could lead to a sweep. Commentators argued that the Mets’ offensive struggles intensify when their top hitter is unavailable.

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• “He's been battling with it for the past three days and showed up with fever today, body aches. He didn't have much sleep.” — Carlos Mendoza, Mets manager

Juan Soto is out of the Mets' lineup due to flu-like symptoms

• “There are a lot of people that for the past week have been dealing with this.” — Carlos Mendoza, Mets manager

Juan Soto Scratched From the Mets' Lineup With Illness

• “Juan Soto is ill and reported in today with a fever. He's been scratched. There's a flu-like illness that's been spreading through the clubhouse for a few days.” — Laura Albanese, Newsday

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• “Juan Soto was originally in the starting lineup, but Carlos Mendoza said he's been scratched due to illness. For a team that's been struggling offensively, the timing couldn't be much worse.” — Steve Gelbs, broadcaster

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All sources attribute Soto’s absence to flu-like symptoms, but no specific diagnosis has been released and the scope of the illness within the clubhouse is not detailed.

Juan Soto scratched from Mets’ lineup due to illness

The Mets will host the Cincinnati Reds on Monday at Citi Field, aiming to rebound from the Miami series and reintegrate Soto once he is cleared.

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