Mets Star Juan Soto Pulls Out of Live ESPN Interview Last Minute — Here’s Why

NEW YORK, May 18, 2025 — During a highly anticipated Mets-Yankees matchup on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto unexpectedly pulled out of a scheduled in-game interview, sparking both confusion and heated fan reaction. Mets teammate Brandon Nimmo ended up filling in at the last minute.

Originally, Soto was slated to be mic’d up during the game for a casual, mid-inning chat with ESPN commentators. The idea? Let fans hear directly from players in the middle of the action—a feature that’s become a fan-favorite. However, when ESPN insider Buster Olney teased that the conversation with Soto would focus heavily on Yankees captain Aaron Judge’s red-hot start to the season, things quickly took a turn.

Judge, who’s been on a tear lately, reached base 100 times in just 44 games—something not seen since Barry Bonds in 2002. While that’s a headline-worthy stat, Mets fans weren’t happy that a Mets player’s interview was being centered around a rival team’s star. Fans immediately voiced their frustration on social media, with many questioning why the focus wasn’t on Soto himself or key Mets teammates like Pete Alonso or Francisco Lindor.

Shortly before the broadcast began, Soto reportedly changed his mind and backed out of the segment. ESPN didn’t issue a formal explanation, but according to network insiders, these kinds of last-minute changes aren’t unheard of in live sports coverage.

Brandon Nimmo quickly stepped in and handled the interview with charm, talking about life off the field, being a new dad, and the team’s mindset. While fans appreciated Nimmo’s openness, many still weren’t thrilled about the missed opportunity to hear from Soto—especially in such a hyped-up setting like the Subway Series.

Some believe Soto’s decision might be tied to previous tension involving Aaron Judge. In the past, comparisons between the two sluggers have caused controversy, and discussing a Yankees player during Soto’s return to Yankee Stadium may have been seen as inappropriate or even disrespectful.

This incident shines a spotlight on how sensitive player interviews can be—especially during high-stakes rivalries. For broadcasters like ESPN, it’s a reminder that sometimes, a single question can change the whole game plan.