In the past, Soto said he preferred hitting third . While in Washington, Soto was upset at Nationals manager Davey Martinez moving him to second in the order. Now, at 26 years old and in his eighth major-league season, Soto says where he bats in the order matters less to him.

A day after saying he would address Juan Soto’s effort level with the star right fielder, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza declined to divulge the nature of that meeting or even whether it had taken place.