Each Juan Soto at-bat has seemingly become an invitation for criticism, from his lack of hustle twice in the past week to him bizarrely staring down seven straight pitches — including six strikes — in his first two at-bats against the Red Sox on Wednesday night.

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza defended outfielder Juan Soto on Tuesday, a day after saying he would meet with the star over his perceived lack of hustle. "He's human. He's 26, man," Mendoza told reporters before a loss to the Boston Red Sox.