New York Mets slugger Juan Soto says he expects to play again this season after being placed on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain. Multiple reports describe Soto speaking to members of the media for the first time since the injury, expressing confidence in his recovery and indicating he is aiming to return before the season ends. One outlet quotes Soto saying he is “100 percent” that he will return, while another reports him saying he is confident he will come back from the calf issue before the end of the 2026 season. Yahoo Sports adds that Soto also addresses how he handled playing through calf pain before the injury led to the IL placement, but the reports consistently center on his expectation to return rather than any change in team plans. All accounts reflect that Soto’s status is currently limited by the calf strain, but they agree that he is optimistic about returning to the Mets’ lineup within the same season. The reports do not detail a specific return date.