Juan Soto hasn’t started a running program at this point, but the Mets are hopeful that he’ll be able to do so in the next couple of days, manager Carlos Mendoza said before Monday's game in Los Angeles. Soto didn’t travel with the team as they kick off a road trip against the Dodgers; instead, he stayed at Citi Field to continue progressing his way back from a calf strain. The star outfielder hit and played catch for the first time since the injury last week.If he is unable to take that next step in his recovery, Mendoza said that the team could potentially send him for another MRI, but they are happy with his progress thus far.

The team remains hopeful that Soto will be able to meet the two-to-three week recovery period that they put out when he first landed on the injured list last week.While they'll continue to play things safe, they certainly need him back as soon as possible. Entering play on Monday night, New York has lost five games in a row and they are averaging just 3.38 runs per game since Soto was placed on the IL. They did recall Tommy Pham looking to provide a boost, but they need their superstar slugger healthy.