Is Juan Soto playing today? Yankees OF's availability against Athletics explored
New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto has been on a tear for the Bronx Bombers in his first season with the franchise. However, Yankees fans will not be too happy with the latest update on the All-Star slugger.
Soto appeared to hurt his leg during the team's narrow 3-2 loss against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. Soto collided with the right field wall while attempting to catch a ball in the foul area.
Although he remained in the game on Thursday and was scheduled to start the series opener against the Oakland Athletics on Friday, Soto was scratched from the lineup before the game, per manager Aaron Boone.
Senior MLB journalist Bryan Hoch broke the news of Soto's absence after he was initially named in the starting lineup:
"Juan Soto scratched from Yankees lineup due to soreness and swelling, Aaron Boone said. X-rays were negative. No additional testing scheduled," Hoch wrote on X/Twitter.
Since the X-rays came back negative, it could be a precautionary decision with Soto likely to be available for the next game.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone reflects on Juan Soto's absence
Although Juan Soto's injury is seemingly not serious, Aaron Boone is not taking any chances with the playoffs just a few days away. Boone reflected on Soto's collision with the wall that resulted in a fall in the foul area (via ABCNews.com):
"Guys do a good job of knowing how to protect themselves and playing smart in certain situations,” Boone said. “I think him getting down the way he did protected him a little bit. Obviously he bruised it and he's out today. But I think the way he did it avoided something serious.”
Although Soto was scratched from the lineup, Boone called upon the Dominican slugger as a pinch hitter in tenth inning of Friday's series opener. The former Padres star made an instant impact, driving an RBI double to give the Yankees a 3-1 lead before Anthony Volpe added another run as the visitors won 4-2.
While the Yankees have booked their postseason berth for the first time since 2022, Boone will hope they continue their winning momentum in the remaining regular season to clinch the AL East. New York currently holds a four-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in second place.
The Yankees opened a three-game series against the Athletics on Friday and it'll be followed by a series against division rivals the Orioles and concluding the regular season with a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Bronx.