New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto addressed comments made by manager Carlos Mendoza regarding his performance on the basepaths during the team's recent 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox. The remarks followed a play in which Soto hit a ball off the iconic Green Monster at Fenway Park but only managed to secure a single after failing to hustle out of the box.

After the game, Soto expressed his perspective to reporters, asserting, 'I think I've been hustling pretty hard. If you see it today, you could tell.' Mendoza acknowledged Soto's performance but indicated that the issue of hustle would be addressed in a future discussion, stating, 'He thought he had it. In this ballpark with that wall right there, you gotta get out of the box. We'll discuss that.' Historically at Fenway Park, a well-struck ball off the Green Monster typically yields at least a double—a fact that contributed to the scrutiny directed at Soto following his single, which was perceived as a missed opportunity.

In addition to this latest incident, Soto faced similar backlash following the Mets’ 8-2 defeat to the New York Yankees the previous day. During that game, he grounded out to lead off the eighth inning, and Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu executed a sliding backhand grab, making a throw from his knees to retire Soto. This prompted discussions regarding whether Soto could have reached base had he displayed greater urgency. In what has been a challenging first season with the Mets, Soto currently holds a .246 batting average, which ties for the second-lowest of his career, along with a .376 on-base percentage, marking his lowest to date.