OAKLAND — A day after New York Yankees star Juan Soto injured his left knee when he slipped into a wall while catching a ball, he was briefly removed from the lineup and could be out for an extended period.
Manager Aaron Boone said that although X-rays showed no damage to Soto’s knee, the 25-year-old hitter was experiencing swelling and pain.
“You have to be careful,” Boone told reporters. “Pulled him out. (We’ll) see if he’s available at some point during the game.”
The Yankees initially announced Friday’s batting order with Soto batting second and playing in right field against the Oakland A’s at the Coliseum. But an hour later, he was taken out of the lineup and Aaron Judge moved to right field, Trent Grisham started in center field and Alex Verdugo in left field.
“I had (Soto) in there, but I knew he was going to need treatment today and just did different physical exercises,” Boone said. “Everyone just felt it would be best to keep him out.”
Juan Soto has scratches and swelling, Boone says. X-ray was negative. Could be an option during the game.
— Brendan Kuty 🧟‍♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) 20 September 2024
Boone said he was not “overly” concerned and that Soto’s decision would be “day-by-day.” The Yankees have nine games left in the regular season, including a three-game set beginning next week against the Baltimore Orioles, the only threat to their lead in the American League East.
The Yankees were four games ahead in the division on Friday.
In the seventh inning of Thursday’s 2-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners, the Yankees’ right fielder caught the ball in foul territory and hit his knee against the concrete part of the wall. After catching the ball, Soto got up to throw it back to the infield, but immediately fell back down and remained on the ground in pain for several minutes.
Soto stayed in the game but later said he still felt pain when running and attempting to hit a ball and felt like he had suffered a bruise.
The Yankees will need Soto in the playoffs. The team secured a postseason berth on Wednesday. Staying healthy will also be important for Soto, whose free agency is being closely watched this offseason and could land him the most lucrative contract in MLB history. The Yankees are likely to be among many teams vying for his services.
On Tuesday, Soto was very conscious of his free agency after his home run at T-Mobile Park marked the first time he had hit a home run in all 30 active MLB stadiums.
“What a great way to enter free agency after checking off all 30 ballparks on my list,” he told reporters at the time.
Soto was once again one of the best hitters in the game, posting an OPS of .993, third-best in the game behind Judge (1.142) and Shohei Ohtani (1.005) of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
On Thursday, Soto explained why he is still willing to take the risk of injury despite the prospect of a huge payday awaiting him.
“I feel like it’s just the adrenaline of the game,” Soto said. “We try to keep the game on the line and go out there and do the best we can. Like you mentioned, free agency and this and that, when I walk into those lines, I forget about everything. I’m literally just focused on the game and trying to win the game and help the team do the best they can.”
(Photo: Luke Hales/Getty Images)
