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Mets Place Juan Soto in Leadoff Spot for First Time Since 2021 Amid Injuries
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza slotted Juan Soto into the leadoff position for the May 4, 2026, game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, marking Soto's first time there since May 30, 2021. The move came with multiple players on the injured list, including Francisco Lindor. Mendoza also reflected on the death of former Yankees broadcaster John Sterling.
May 3, 10:36 AM·2m read3 sources
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Mets manager Carlos Mendoza inserted his best hitter into the top spot of the lineup, a shift from Soto's near-exclusive placement in the No. 2 hole throughout his tenure with the team.
The adjustment reflects ongoing challenges with injuries depleting the roster. Mendoza had been considering the change over the last few days, prompted by a string of absences. 5 weeks earlier, leaving a void at the top of the order.
Bo Bichette had largely filled the leadoff role since then, but he slid to the No. 2 spot with Soto's elevation on May 4. "It’s something I have been thinking about the last few days with a lot of players on the injured list," Mendoza stated before the game.
He added that opposing teams' aggressive bullpen usage — particularly against the hitters behind Soto — had forced earlier decisions in recent contests. " Mendoza first broached the leadoff idea with Soto on Sunday, May 3, and received encouragement from the star outfielder's buy-in.
The discussion came amid the Mets' search for lineup stability during a road trip through the high-altitude confines of Coors Field, where thin air often amplifies offensive output.
Soto, acquired in a high-profile trade, has been a consistent force in the middle of the order but now anchors the start of games. Before addressing the lineup tweak, Mendoza opened his pregame media session with a tribute to John Sterling, the former Yankees radio voice who died at age 87. Sterling's passing drew reflections across baseball circles on May 4.
Mendoza, who formed a relationship with Sterling during his years as a Yankees coach, recalled an early connection after taking the Mets job. "When I got the job here, he was one of the first phone calls I received," Mendoza said.
The Mets' pitching staff also faced adjustments ahead of the Rockies series. Mendoza selected Huascar Brazobán as the opener for the May 4 matchup over Tobias Myers, citing workload concerns. Brazobán had pitched one inning on Saturday, May 2, against the Angels, while Myers threw 2 2/3 innings in the same game.
