Juan Soto missed Sunday's Mets game against Miami due to flu-like symptoms including fever and body aches. The star slugger was a late lineup scratch, with A.J. Ewing moving to third and MJ Melendez taking over as designated hitter. Manager Carlos Mendoza indicated Soto has been battling the illness for three days and didn't get much sleep.

The Mets already face a depleted lineup, missing Francisco Lindor since April 22 with a calf injury. Soto, in his second season with New York, has 10 home runs and a .949 OPS this year. His absence creates a significant hole in a lineup that has managed only one run in each of the first two games against Miami.

Mendoza noted the illness is affecting multiple people in the organization. With Soto out and several regulars sidelined, the Mets continue to struggle offensively. The team's depth will be tested as they navigate these health issues during a critical stretch of the season.