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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — New York Yankees star right fielder Juan Soto was taken out of the starting lineup a day after injuring his left leg when he slid into a wall while catching a ball, but he managed to step in as a pinch hitter and hit an RBI double in the 10th inning.

Soto was originally on the roster for Friday night’s game against the Oakland Athletics, but was removed from the roster after reporting pain and swelling in his left leg. Manager Aaron Boone said X-rays were negative and Soto did not require further evaluation.

Soto showed the injury wasn’t too serious by coming on in the 10th inning and hitting an RBI double that gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead over the A’s. Soto has gone 2-for-10 with four RBIs in 13 career pinch-hit appearances.

Soto injured his leg on Thursday in Seattle when he slid into the short wall on the right sideline during a spectacular catch in the foul zone. He stayed in the game but had swelling on Friday.

Boone wasn’t “overly concerned” that the injury would linger into the postseason. The Yankees clinched a playoff spot on Wednesday night and entered the day with a four-game lead over Baltimore in the AL East with nine games left to play.

“The guys know how to protect themselves and play smart in certain situations,” Boone said. “I think him laying down like that protected him a little bit. Obviously he got a bruise and is out today. But I think the way he did it prevented something serious from happening.”

Soto has a .286 batting average with 40 home runs and 103 RBIs in his first season with the Yankees. Soto entered the day second in the majors with 125 walks, 284 times on base and a .418 on-base percentage, trailing only teammate Aaron Judge in all three categories. Soto is third in the majors with 120 runs scored.

Soto missed three games in June due to inflammation of his left forearm.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb