Juan Soto hits 250th homer in Mets' loss to Yankees on Friday

Juan Soto hit his 250th career home run on Friday, May 16, 2026. This places him in a rare group of players with this milestone before age 28.
By Newsroom | Sports, Baseball |

Milestone Mark in Loss to Yankees

Juan Soto, a 27-year-old outfielder for the New York Mets, hit his 250th career home run Friday night at Citi Field. The milestone blast, a drive to center field in the bottom of the seventh inning, put the Mets on the scoreboard against the New York Yankees. However, the accomplishment was overshadowed by a 5-2 loss in the Subway Series opener. This marked Soto's 250th career homer and put him in rare company for players reaching this mark before their 28th birthday. Soto's home run landed him among an elite group of players with both significant home run and stolen base totals before the age of 28, a combination often seen as a strong indicator for Hall of Fame consideration.

Mets’ Soto crushes 250th career homer vs. Yankees - 1

Historic Pace

Soto's 250th home run places him as the 16th player in MLB history to achieve this feat before turning 28. He also entered the season with the most walks before that age, according to records. This places him alongside names like Mickey Mantle, Mike Trout, Alex Rodriguez, and Ken Griffey Jr. as players with over 250 home runs and 2,000+ times on base before turning 28. His career trajectory suggests the 300-home run plateau is a likely future milestone.

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Mets’ Soto crushes 250th career homer vs. Yankees - 2

Context of the Game

The Yankees secured the win with a strong pitching performance from Cam Schlittler, who limited the Mets to one hit and no runs through 6 2/3 innings. Schlittler (6-1) recorded nine strikeouts and maintained his impressive ERA. Ben Rice added to the Yankees' lead with his 14th homer of the season in the ninth. The Yankees, in the midst of a nine-game road trip, improved their record to 2-5 on that stretch. The Mets, meanwhile, continue to grapple with inconsistency, with a recent record of 6-4 over their last ten games, but a less impressive 9-13 at home.

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Mets’ Soto crushes 250th career homer vs. Yankees - 3

Player's Condition and Early Season

Despite the historic moment, reports indicate Soto has been playing through some physical discomfort. Manager Carlos Mendoza noted that Soto experiences pain primarily when swinging and missing. Earlier in the season, Soto was hitting .355 with a .928 OPS in his first eight games. However, a significant moment of concern came on April 3rd, when he strained his right calf running the bases, leading to a 2 1/2 week absence. This injury occurred just three innings before he would have potentially hit his 250th home run.

Background

The Subway Series matchup between the Mets and Yankees is a historic interleague rivalry. This particular game took place at Citi Field, the Mets' home stadium. The Yankees are continuing their season with Carlos Rodón scheduled to pitch Saturday night, his second start since recovering from elbow surgery.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did Juan Soto achieve on Friday, May 16, 2026?
Juan Soto hit his 250th career home run on Friday, May 16, 2026, at Citi Field. This milestone places him among an elite group of players who reached this number before turning 28.
Q: What was the result of the Mets vs. Yankees game on Friday, May 16, 2026?
The New York Mets lost to the New York Yankees with a score of 5-2 in the Subway Series opener. Juan Soto's 250th home run was the only score for the Mets.
Q: How does Juan Soto's 250th home run compare to other players?
Reaching 250 home runs before age 28 makes Soto the 16th player in MLB history to do so. He is also noted for having significant home run and stolen base totals at a young age, which is often seen as a strong Hall of Fame indicator.
Q: What is Juan Soto's current physical condition?
Reports suggest Juan Soto has been playing with some physical discomfort, particularly when swinging and missing. He missed time earlier in the season due to a strained right calf.
Q: What is the background of the Mets and Yankees game on Friday, May 16, 2026?
The game was part of the Subway Series, a rivalry between the Mets and Yankees, played at Citi Field. The Yankees won, with Cam Schlittler pitching effectively, and Ben Rice hitting another home run.