The New York Mets ended their spring training slate against the New York Yankees on Monday, tying them 6-6. Mets slugger and former Yankee Juan Soto went 0-for-2 before getting subbed out for Tyrone Taylor in right field.
The contest was the first time that Soto played the Yankees since leaving them in the winter. The 26-year-old signed a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets in free agency, leaving the Bronx Bombers behind after helping them get to the World Series last season.
However, the Yankees don’t have any ill will toward Soto at this point, at least not publicly.
Right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman had a kind message for the four-time All-Star on Tuesday.
The former Mets starter reposted The New York Post’s backpage story of Soto and called him the “Youngest GOAT in the game” via his Instagram story.
Stroman started Monday’s game and allowed two earned runs on six hits in 3.2 innings. Both runs were off of solo homers, and he also notched four strikeouts. The Post’s backpage photo shows Stroman gleefully greeting Soto, who he played with on the Yankees last season.
Soto hit .289 with four homers, nine RBI, and a 1.049 OPS this spring. The 6-foot-1-inch, 224-pounder is continuing his momentum from the playoffs, when he slashed .327/.469/.633 with four homers and nine RBI in 14 games. The Yankees lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.
The Mets start their regular-season slate with a three-game series against the Houston Astros and another against the Miami Marlins, both on the road. Opening Day is on Thursday.
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