海角社区官网

Mendoza said frustration may have played a role in Soto鈥檚 response to a line drive in the sixth inning Monday night that bounced high off the Green Monster as Soto stood and watched from the batter’s box in .

鈥淚 think he鈥檚 comfortable, but again, everything is new. Not only a new team, but there鈥檚 the new contract, the expectations,鈥� Mendoza told reporters before the Mets played the Red Sox on Tuesday night in the second game of the series.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 our job as an organization, to continue to help him. But I do feel like he鈥檚 in a good place. And look, it鈥檚 about results, there, too. There鈥檚 a lot of noise here, but he鈥檚 going to be fine. He鈥檚 too good of a player and we鈥檒l be right there with him.鈥�

Mendoza sounded somewhat more understanding Tuesday than he did after the game Monday night, when he said who is in his first season with the Mets.

鈥淭he guy鈥檚 competing. I鈥檒l tell you that,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t happens, man. They鈥檙e human.鈥�

Mendoza said Soto isn鈥檛 the first player to clang a ball off the Monster and end up with a single.

鈥淎 lot of times the frustrations are going to get the best out of them, especially a guy like that. He鈥檚 so talented and had so much success early in his career. Right now he feels like maybe he could do a little bit more for the team. And he鈥檚 part of it and that鈥檚 part of the conversation here, understanding the personal,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza said Soto understands the extra pressure that comes with a giant contract and the expectations it brings. He said that鈥檚 part of Soto鈥檚 role as one of the best players in the game.

鈥淜nowing the player, I鈥檓 pretty sure there鈥檚 something there because again 鈥� he鈥檚 elite. He鈥檚 a special player and you know he cares 鈥� he cares a lot,鈥� Mendoza said.

___

AP MLB: