New York Mets fans received a major dose of positive news this week as superstar outfielder Juan Soto hit a significant milestone in his recovery. After being sidelined with a calf strain, Soto began a running program on Tuesday, marking a crucial step toward his return to the lineup.

The update, first noted by SNY's Gary Cohen during Tuesday's broadcast and later confirmed by team owner Steve Cohen, signals very encouraging progress. While Soto had been engaging in baseball activities like hitting and playing catch for days, resuming running is a key hurdle in rehabbing a lower-body injury like this.

Manager Carlos Mendoza indicated the team still expects Soto to meet the original two-to-three week recovery timeline established when he was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 6. If he stays on that track, a return sometime next week appears possible.

The Mets are considering creative ways to get him game-ready, including potentially bringing minor league pitchers to Citi Field for live at-bats, which could expedite the process without a formal rehab assignment.

His return can't come soon enough for an offense in a serious slump. Following a 2-1 loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday, the Mets have scored just once in their last three games and only ten times during a concerning seven-game losing streak. Getting a hitter of Soto's caliber back in the heart of the order would be a game-changer for a team searching for a spark.