5 NY Mets players with the most to gain or lose while Juan Soto is on the IL

While Juan Soto rests and recovers from his calf injury, the New York Mets will ask their star players to step up. Francisco Lindor needs to lead. Bo Bichette needs to be worth every dollar. Veterans like Jorge Polanco and Marcus Semien need to prove they were worth bringing in.

Not much really changes with any of those players. They should, with or without Soto, be the main players in getting the Mets to the playoffs.

But without Soto, these five have a lot to gain or lose as the roster has been reconstructed, roles have slightly altered, and playing time can come or go. It’s these five whose standing with the ball club can change the most, for better or worse.

These Mets have something to gain or lose while Juan Soto is on the IL

1) Brett Baty

The Mets bought into the good finish they got from Brett Baty last year. Now the club’s main utility man who’s getting extensive time in the outfield, he needs to prove their faith while Soto is out. He’s going to see a lot of time in right field, possibly as the main player used at the position for at least a few weeks. As secure as his job felt coming into the year, some of these other players can become contenders to overtake him. Don’t forget, he has one remaining minor league option year.

2) Carson Benge

The Soto injury buys more time for Carson Benge to figure it out in the majors. He looks to be a regular in left field in place of Soto. A mix of upside offensively and credible defense, he feels like the perfect match for the Mets as long as he reaches expectations. The added leash will help him break out of his slump. However, with Baty now in the outfield and a newcomer to the roster, the Mets may find reason to demote Benge.

3) Mark Vientos

The Mets no longer have any reason to sit Mark Vientos. He’s hitting and with Soto out, the Mets have more of a reason to put him in the lineup everyday. He has less to lose and more to gain right now simply because he was already against the ropes heading into the year. Vientos has nowhere to go but up. Extended playing time can help him push others off the roster.

4) Jared Young

How permanent was Jared Young’s presence on the roster going to be? He made the team out of camp and a 3-hit game on Sunday in place of Soto helped his cause to linger around longer. The trouble for Young is he’ll need to hit consistently in the majors and not get overtaken by anyone else who might be able to do the same things. Young might not necessarily lose his place with the Mets as much as someone else could steal it.

5) Ronny Mauricio

Ronny Mauricio might not play much in Soto’s absence, but he can force himself into games more and maybe throw a wrench into everyone’s early predictions. What if he outplays Baty? In a bench role, maybe the Mets end up trusting him more than what Benge or Young can offer. At minimum, Mauricio can remind the Mets of his existence with more big hits like he did in his 2026 debut. It’s going to take a major injury for him to creep into any regular playing time. Polanco’s lingering Achilles problems feel the likeliest way to have him stick around in the majors. Outside of that, the Mets may need to pick spots for him.