Why Mets decided to sit Juan Soto before Subway series vs. Yankees

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.Carlos Mendoza never really convinced his star right fielder he could benefit from a rest on Wednesday.But the Mets manager had the final call, and Juan Soto was absent from the starting lineup for the first time this season during the Mets’ 4-0 loss to the Pirates in their series finale against the Pirates at Citi Field.“It was a back-and-forth until I finally told him, ‘You’re going to be down,’ ” Mendoza said, recounting his conversation with Soto following Tuesday’s game.Mendoza said he wanted Soto to utilize Thursday’s off-day, coupled with his night off Wednesday, to receive a thorough break.

The Mets open the Subway Series on Friday at Yankee Stadium.Soto, according to Mendoza, was “getting after it” in the weight room on Wednesday, instead of just relaxing.“But that says a lot of who he is as a player, as a person, that on a day when he’s not in the lineup he’s getting after it pretty good in the weight room,” the manager said before the loss.José Azocar (0-for-1) start in right field with Starling Marte (1-for-3) as the DH.Soto has one start as the DH this season.Ronny Mauricio will remain in the minor leagues once his rehab assignment is complete, according to president of baseball operations David Stearns, unless the Mets have a need on the major league roster and deem the infielder ready to contribute.Mauricio, who was elevated last weekend to Double-A Binghamton, is rehabbing from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a subsequent procedure to remove scar tissue from the knee that cost him all last season.“He’s still got a little way to go to get back to being a healthy player, to get back into that true baseball shape, ready to compete at a high level in the big leagues,” Stearns said.

“It’s continuing to get him at-bats, get him reps in the minor leagues.”...