Juan Soto looked normal in return as Mets avoid nightmare scenario

The Mets had at least something go right for them, as Juan Soto avoided the injured list and was back in the lineup for the series finale against the Cubs after exiting Tuesday’s game with back tightness.Carlos Mendoza hoped pregame that Soto — who also missed time earlier this season with a calf injury — would be able to play, prompting the Mets to release their starting lineup later than expected until they received some clarity.He hit third and served as the designated hitter, with MJ Melendez in left field.

Mendoza, who didn’t have any clarity on when Soto could return to the outfield, was satisfied that Soto even wanted to play — as opposed to just being available as a pinch hitter after missing both games Wednesday.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.

“That’s a good sign,” Mendoza said before Soto went 1-for-3 with two walks during their 4-3 loss in 10 innings.A trip to the IL would’ve been another nightmare for the Mets in a season full of them.Soto, who entered Thursday’s game with a .299 average, .965 OPS and 17 homers, has been one of the only pieces of their lineup to produce.

Francisco Lindor just returned from his calf strain Wednesday and Luis Robert Jr.(lumbar spine disc herniation), Jorge Polanco (left Achilles bursitis, right wrist contusion) and Marcus Semien (left hip flexor strain) are all on the injured list.The hope that Soto was only day to day turned out to be accurate.

He avoided another stint on the IL after missing 15 games in April.The Mets, for once, caught an injury break.“He looked normal,” Mendoza said.

“There was no hesitation.I mean, he was swinging as hard as possible.

Normal at-bats.”Mendoza opened his pregame press conference with a statement about his native country of Venezuela, which sustained a devastating pair of earthquakes with 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes Wednesday.At least 188 people were kill...