Juan Soto exits game with foot injury in major Mets worry

SAN DIEGO — Juan Soto, a rock who has played in 107 of 108 games in Year One of his $765 million contract with the Mets, had to be removed from game 108 with what the team called a foot contusion.

The Mets will cross their fingers after Soto smashed a foul ball off his left, back foot in the fourth inning Tuesday at Petco Park.

Soto was in obvious pain and hobbled his way halfway to first base before taking a knee, with a trainer and manager Carlos Mendoza running out to check on him.

Juan Soto grimace after fouling a ball off his foot while batting during the fourth inning of the Mets-Padres game on July 29, 2025. AP

Juan Soto takes a moment to recover after fouling a ball off his left foot while batting during the fourth inning of the Mets-Padres game on July 29, 2025. He later was forced to exit the game. AP

After several minutes of examination, Soto initially remained in the game to finish his at-bat. He smacked a one-hopper to the right side and was robbed on a diving play from Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth.

Soto ran to first base but not smoothly.

The right fielder was then removed before the start of the bottom of the fourth inning, when Tyrone Taylor entered to play center field and Jeff McNeil moved to right.