PHILADELPHIA

Calf injuries have already impacted the Mets this season, sidelining both Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor.

However, interim manager Andy Green mentioned after Thursday’s 4-1 victory against the Phillies that Soto is expected to return “this weekend,” despite Soto being ejected in the eighth inning due to “some soreness in his left calf.”

Soto indicated after the game that he felt the discomfort about halfway through, yet managed to reach base four times—a walk included.

He also expressed his intention to be part of the lineup on Saturday when the Mets continue their series with the Phillies.

Green observed that Soto’s absence around the All-Star break has contributed to his current resting period.

“He just played in the All-Star Game and has been active lately, so resting him made sense,” Green noted.

Soto underwent treatment on Friday and will be assessed again on Saturday. Green mentioned that there was a possibility Soto could have stayed in the game, but ultimately deemed it illogical.

Meanwhile, Clay Holmes, currently recovering from a fractured right fibula, threw to Marcus Semien and Luis Robert Jr. in Brooklyn on Tuesday, with Holmes inching closer to a minor league rehab assignment. However, no precise timeline has been determined yet for that.

Robert, dealing with a lumbar disc herniation, will continue his rehab at Triple-A Syracuse starting Friday and could be back with the Mets “relatively soon,” according to Green.

In another note, Francisco Lindor made an uncharacteristic mistake during Thursday’s game.

When Bryce Harper was at bat in the sixth inning, the Mets attempted to tag out Kyle Schwarber, who was on second base. Francisco Alvarez threw to Lindor, but Schwarber advanced to third on Lindor’s error, as Lindor bounced the throw to Bo Bichette.

Despite the error, the Mets managed to hold their ground, with Brooks Lally walking Harper but hitting Brandon Marsh to end the inning.

Looking ahead, if the 2027 season starts as planned—which is a considerable assumption considering ongoing negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA—the Mets are set to begin the season on March 25th in Miami.

The home opener is scheduled against the Giants on April 2nd, and the first Subway Series takes off on May 28th at Citi Field, with the Mets visiting the Yankees on July 16th for the second half opener.

The Mets expect to wrap up their season at home against the Cubs on September 26th.