Juan Soto, who has been out with a right calf strain since April 4, will return to the Mets lineup for Wednesday's 7:10 p.m. game against the Twins at Citi Field.
As Soto rejoins the lineup, he'll be penciled in at the No. 2 spot in the lineup behind Bo Bichette. He'll serve as the team's designated hitter. Carlos Mendoza said on Tuesday is not likely to see back-to-back games in the field, at least initially.
Luis Robert Jr. will bat behind Soto in the third spot, while Francisco Lindor will be in the cleanup spot for Wednesday's game.
The Mets could use Soto's spark. They have scored two runs or fewer in nine of their last 12 losses.
The Mets came up short on Tuesday despite Nolan McLean opening with five perfect innings. He gave up three earned runs between the sixth and seventh frame.
Now, Clay Holmes will look to get the Mets back in gear on Wednesday. The veteran right-hander is 2-2 with a 1.96 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through four starts. He held the Dodgers to two runs in five innings but was dealt the loss last time out.
After Mick Abel was placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation, Simeon Woods Richardson was pushed up for Tuesday's start. Now, Connor Prielipp, a 25-year-old left-hander, will make his MLB debut on Wednesday. Prielipp, the club's No. 5 prospect and 2022 second-round pick, has pitched to a 2.30 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 15⅔ innings in Triple-A St. Paul this season.
Tonight's starters ⬇️ #LGM pic.twitter.com/u1nZFuMnfy