Mets' Juan Soto pulls out of HR Derby
New York Mets’ Juan Soto returns to the dugout after his sacrifice fly that scored Brett Baty during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox in an MLB baseball game at Citi Field on Friday, July 10, 2026. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Juan Soto spent a fair about of time lingering over his decision not to compete in Monday’s Home Run Derby at the 2026 MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia before making a final judgement during this last homestand before the break.
The lone Mets representative for Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic, Soto has already been in the Derby twice, last appearing in 2022 when he was with the National and won it.
“I thought about it – I really considered it,” Soto told Newsday before Saturday’s game against the Red Sox at Citi Field. “In the end, I decided not to do it. I want to take my (down) time this year.”
If Soto is in the starting lineup on Sunday, he will have started 70 of the 74 games the Mets have played since he returned from an April calf strain.”
In the past some players have eschewed the Derby out of concerns that swinging for the fences in the event would throw off their swing for the games coming out of the break.
Soto, who also appeared in the 2021 Derby, said that’s never been a concern for him personally.
“I don’t know if it really does that to people,” Soto said. “Every player is different. Everybody has a different mentality and a different mindset when you are in (the Derby).
“For me, I didn’t think it messed with my swing much. I feel like it made me better.”
When Soto first competed in 2021 he had hit 11 home runs entering the All-Star break, hit 18 in 72 games after it and finished second in NL MVP voting behind the Phillies Bryce Harper. When he won in 2022, he had 20 going into the break and hit just seven afterward.
Seelinger stays with Mets organization
Righthander Matt Seelinger, the 31-year-old Long Islander who made his MLB debut in the Mets’ 16-12 loss Tuesday to the Royals, will remain in the organization. The 10-year minor leaguer from Clarke High and Division III Farmingdale State, was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
