The Mets’ losing streak grew to a dozen last night. The club will be getting some reinforcements for Wednesday’s matchup.
1. Soto set to return
Outfielder Juan Soto is expected back tonight against the Twins. He’s missed a little under three weeks while nursing a calf injury. The four-time All-Star left early against the Giants on April 3. New York won that game and the next three contests with Soto out of the lineup. The team has since lost 12 straight games. Getting Soto’s bat back in the mix should be a boost. He had a .928 OPS through eight games before the injury. After last night’s 5-3 loss, the Mets have scored three runs or fewer 10 times during the losing streak.
2. Kurtz nearing A’s record
First baseman Nick Kurtz led off last night’s matchup against the Mariners by working a walk against right-hander Luis Castillo. It was his 12th consecutive game with a free pass, moving him into a tie with Rickey Henderson for fifth-most in franchise history (h/t Sarah Langs of MLB.com). The A’s record is a three-way tie at 15 straight games with a walk by Henderson, Max Bishop, and Topsy Hartsel. Kurtz will have a tough task on Wednesday, facing right-hander Logan Gilbert and his 4.3% walk rate.
3. Two-way Ohtani returns?
Right-hander Shohei Ohtani will be on the mound tonight against the Giants. It remains to be seen if he’ll be in the hitting lineup. The two-way star did not hit in his last start. Instead, Dalton Rushing served as the DH and slugged a home run. It was the first time as a Dodger that Ohtani pitched but wasn’t in the batting lineup. Manager Dave Roberts said a HBP earlier in the week led to the decision. LA’s lineup will be an interesting one to monitor on Wednesday, especially with Rushing off to a tremendous start.
Photo courtesy of Robert Edwards, Imagn Images