Juan Soto Returns to Save the Mets' Season (Which Ended Weeks Ago)

The New York Mets are officially activating Juan Soto from the injured list, returning their $765 million investment to a roster that was legally pronounced dead weeks ago.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, the superstar outfielder is back in action after missing over a month with a left calf strain. He skipped a minor league rehab assignment entirely, presumably because taking at-bats in Syracuse in late August sounds like a punishment.

"MLB Trade Rumors reported the activation via Twitter."

Soto originally went on the shelf on July 25. This followed an April stint on the injured list for a right calf strain, meaning both of his legs have officially staged protests during his debut season in Queens.

Despite the lower-body rebellion, Soto has been the only reliable engine in the Mets' lineup. He is slashing .283/.408/.539 with 21 home runs and 52 RBIs in 84 games, and he was leading the National League in on-base percentage and OPS before his left calf gave out.

The Mets are 40-44 when he actually plays. That is not exactly a dynasty, but it looks like the 1927 Yankees compared to their current form. New York just dropped two straight blowouts to the Milwaukee Brewers and opened their weekend series against the Houston Astros with a depressing 3-1 loss.

For anyone still firing off bets on Mets games in late August, Soto's return at least makes the player prop market interesting again. You can only wager on Carson Benge or Jared Young total bases so many times before you have to look in the mirror and ask yourself some tough questions.

Soto is expected to slide right back into the lineup for the rest of the weekend series against Houston. The playoffs are a complete pipe dream, but at least the fans paying premium ticket prices at Citi Field get to watch a generational talent instead of a late-summer Triple-A tryout camp.