Soto’s Grand Slam Propels Mets to Series Sweep of Marlins, Fourth Straight Win QUEENS, NY — A combination of early home runs from Carson Benge and Marcus Semien, along with a dramatic sixth-inning grand slam by Juan Soto, propelled the New York Mets to a 10-1 victory and a series sweep of the Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon at Citi Field. The win marked the Mets’ fourth consecutive victory, lifting them out of last place in the National League East for the second time since April 29. Soto’s game-winning grand slam came in the sixth inning, capping off a two-out rally that began with Marlins reliever Josh White, making his MLB debut, struggling to contain the Mets’ offense. White managed to retire the first two batters he faced but quickly found himself in trouble after walks to Semien and Benge, sandwiched around a Luis Torrens hit-by-pitch. The bases were loaded when White walked Bo Bichette, putting the Mets up 5-1. Soto then launched a towering slider 433 feet to the Shea Bridge in right-center field, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The 27-year-old slugger watched the ball soar before flipping his bat toward his dugout in celebration. “I know where the pressure is in that situation,” Soto said after the game. “I just tried to execute, get a good pitch. I knew he was kind of wild, so I knew he was going to try to get in the zone early, so I was just ready to go.” Soto’s grand slam was his third career home run of the season and the 19th RBI of the month. Over his last 17 games, the star outfielder has hit nine home runs, showcasing his dominance at the plate. His performance was instrumental in the Mets’ offensive surge, which has seen them win four straight games after a 1-7 stretch. The Mets’ offensive onslaught began in the third inning when Benge, entering the game batting .#miami_marlins #juan_soto #new_york_mets #carson_benge #citi_field
Carson Benge Overcomes Slump as Mets' Outfielders Show Promise The New York Mets endured a grueling 16-day stretch that tested their resilience, culminating in a much-needed day off on Thursday. Despite a .500 record during the span, the team faced significant challenges, including injuries to key players like Clay Holmes, Francisco Alvarez, and Tyrone Taylor. Additionally, performances from pitchers David Peterson, Nolan McLean, and Devin Williams raised concerns about the team’s overall stability. However, the Mets’ 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday highlighted glimmers of hope, particularly in the form of their young outfielders, Juan Soto and Carson Benge. While the Mets’ offense continues to struggle, standout performances from Soto and Benge have sparked optimism about the franchise’s future. Soto, dealing with wrist discomfort that flares during swing-and-miss attempts, has responded with a surge in production. In his last 12 games, he has hit eight home runs, including a 449-foot blast off a 99.8-mph fastball from Eury Perez against the Marlins. Manager Carlos Mendoza praised Soto’s focus, calling him “locked in” and “one of the best, if not the best, at what he does.” However, Mendoza also noted that Soto’s success aligns with expectations, as the veteran slugger has long been a consistent performer. Benge, on the other hand, has faced a more turbulent path. After a 1-for-23 slump that forced him to shave his mustache in an attempt to change his luck, the rightfielder delivered two RBI singles in the Mets’ win over the Reds. His recent success has been particularly encouraging, as Benge’s inexperience makes slumps harder to overcome. Prior to his recent resurgence, his batting average had not exceeded .200 since April 1, but his .#juan_soto #new_york_mets #carlos_mendoza #carson_benge #a_j_ewing
Mets Rookie Benge Shaves Mustache, Notches Key Hits in Win Carson Benge, the New York Mets' rookie outfielder, made a bold decision to shave his mustache after struggling with his performance in early-season games. The 23-year-old player, who had been batting .136 with two extra-base hits and three RBIs in his first 21 games, attributed his recent turnaround to the change in appearance. After coming through with two clutch singles in a 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, Benge reflected on his adjustment. "I haven't really been getting a ton of hits, so I just shaved it off and it worked," he said following the game. Benge's transformation has been significant, with his batting average climbing above .300 and his contributions to the team's offense growing. Since April 23, he has recorded 17 RBIs and 19 runs while adapting his approach at the plate. His resilience was on full display in a critical matchup against the Reds, where he broke a 1-for-20 slump with two RBI singles. With two outs in the fifth inning, Benge faced a 0-2 count against left-handed starter Andrew Abbott and responded by hitting an up-and-in fastball into center field for an RBI single that gave the Mets a 3-1 lead. Later in the seventh inning, he repeated the feat against right-handed reliever Zach Maxwell, driving a 98 mph fastball into the same gap to make it 4-2. Manager Carlos Mendoza praised Benge's determination, noting that the player had previously struggled with high-strike-zone pitches. "He's always aggressive. He has a really good swing, and he knows it," said star teammate Juan Soto. "He's squaring balls most of the time, and that's really cool to see." Mendoza added that Benge's ability to adapt has been impressive, particularly after a slow start to the season. "It's really good to see," Mendoza said.#juan_soto #new_york_mets #carlos_mendoza #carson_benge #jonah_tong
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Key Additions and Strategic Moves The latest fantasy baseball waiver wire highlights a surge in starting pitchers and emerging offensive threats, offering managers opportunities to strengthen their rosters. Logan Henderson, a right-handed pitcher for the Brewers, stands out as a top priority, with his performance and the team’s developmental success making him a must-add. Henderson has posted a 2.49 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a 56:11 K:BB ratio in nine major league starts, supported by the Brewers’ reputation for nurturing young starters like Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison. Fantasy managers are advised to act quickly, as Henderson’s roster rate is expected to rise by at least 20%. Bryce Miller, the Mariners’ right-hander, presents another compelling option. After a struggling 2025 season with a 5.68 ERA, Miller has rebounded with a 1.64 ERA and 10:2 K:BB ratio in two recent starts. His resurgence, combined with the Mariners’ strong team support and a pitcher-friendly home park, positions him to match the ceiling of starters in less than 70% of Yahoo leagues. Similarly, Ben Brown of the Cubs is gaining traction after adding a sinker to his arsenal. His three starts have yielded a 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 16:4 K:BB ratio, with the Cubs’ winning record and favorable park conditions enhancing his appeal. J.T. Ginn of the Athletics remains a viable option, particularly for managers seeking a reliable mid-rotation pitcher. Ginn’s ability to induce grounders, paired with improved fastball and sinker velocity, has led to better exit velocity and barrel rate metrics. While he ranks below the pitchers mentioned earlier, his performance in a homer-happy venue makes him a solid choice for most leagues. On the offensive side, Carson Benge of the Mets is emerging as a potential sleeper.#carson_benge #logan_henderson #bryce_miller #ben_brown #jt_ginn
Mets, Tommy Pham Agree To Minor League Deal The New York Mets and veteran outfielder Tommy Pham have reached an agreement on a minor league contract, according to ESPN’s Jorge Castillo. The deal, which marks Pham’s second stint with the team, includes a prorated $2.25 million bonus if he is selected for the major league roster and an opt-out clause set for April 25, as reported by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Pham could also earn an additional $850,000 in performance-based incentives, Castillo noted. Pham, 38, spent the 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, posting a slightly below-average .245/.330/.370 batting line (95 wRC+). However, his second-half performance was more encouraging, as he hit .278/.363/.468 with 10 home runs, 13 doubles, a triple, an 11.7% walk rate, and a 17.2% strikeout rate over his final 273 plate appearances. His strong finish in June helped offset a slow start to the season. Pham previously joined the Mets in 2023, signing a one-year free-agent deal. He contributed 264 plate appearances with the team, hitting .268/.348/.472 before being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a midseason deal. The swap sent teenage infielder Jeremy Rodriguez to the Mets. Now returning to New York, Pham aims to work his way up through Triple-A in hopes of securing a spot on the big league roster. The Mets’ Opening Day roster features top prospect Carson Benge as their starting right fielder, but the club is preparing for potential setbacks. Mike Tauchman, a key bench option, is sidelined due to a meniscus tear requiring surgery at the end of spring training. Pham provides the Mets with a veteran alternative if Benge struggles against major league pitching early in the season. His right-handed bat also complements Benge’s left-handed approach, as Pham has a career .261/.368/.#new_york_mets #pittsburgh_pirates #carson_benge #tommy_pham #arizona_diamondbacks
Mets Outfielder Mike Tauchman to Undergo Knee Surgery Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed today that outfielder Mike Tauchman has suffered a meniscus tear in his knee and will require surgical intervention. The injury will immediately remove the 35-year-old from consideration for the team’s Opening Day roster decisions. While the surgery may delay his return, Mendoza indicated that Tauchman could still be part of the Mets’ plans for the season, depending on his recovery timeline. Tauchman, who had a strong 2025 season with the Chicago White Sox, signed a minor league contract with the Mets in mid-February. During Grapefruit League play, he demonstrated his value with a .241/.371/.448 batting line, including a home run, which positioned him as a potential Opening Day contributor. His performance in spring training, combined with his track record, had made him a key candidate for the roster. However, the meniscus tear now complicates those plans. With Tauchman sidelined, the starting right fielder spot is likely to go to top prospect Carson Benge. The 23-year-old has been dominant in spring training, hitting .368/.442/.447 in exhibition games. Benge’s strong showing in the minors last year and his recent performance have made him a strong contender for the roster, even if Tauchman had not been injured. The Mets will now rely on Benge to step into the role, with the young player poised to make an impact as the season progresses.#mets #mike_tauchman #carlos_mendoza #carson_benge #chicago_white_sox
