New York Mets star Juan Soto won’t start the Wednesday game against the San Diego Padres, his left foot still sore after fouling a ball off it on Tuesday.

He was diagnosed with a left-foot contusion in the Mets’ 7-1 loss.

The incident occurred in the fourth inning as Soto hit against San Diego starter Ryan Bergert. He tried to walk it off after fouling an 0-2 pitch but had difficulty doing so. He finished his turn at the plate after a visit from the trainer and grounded out.

He was pulled from the game after that play.

X-rays were negative.

“I think we dodged a bullet here,” New York manager Carlos Mendoza said.

Mendoza said Soto was “better but still sore” and might be available off the bench Wednesday.

Soto and the Mets are off Thursday, a travel day as they return to New York to open a six-game homestand against the San Francisco Giants and Cleveland Guardians.

After a stellar June in which Soto batted .322 with 11 homers and 20 RBIs, he is hitting just .210 in July with five home runs and 15 runs driven in.

The 26-year old is hitting .248 with 25 home runs and 62 RBIs in his first season with the Mets after signing a 15-year, $765 million contract.

–Field Level Media