Yanks' Juan Soto (knee) misses start, delivers off bench

Field Level Media|published: Sat 21st September, 24:46 2024

Sep 17, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Juan Soto (22) hits a double against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Juan Soto was originally set to start for the New York Yankees on Friday a day after banging his left knee against the outfield wall, but the team scratched him before the road game against the Oakland Athletics due to soreness and swelling.

Despite the injury, Soto made an impact in the Yankees' 4-2 over the Athletics on Friday. He hit a pinch-hit RBI double during a three-run 10th inning for New York, which has won four of its past five games.

In the Yankees' 3-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, the right fielder crashed into the wall in foul territory while pursuing a ball and making a stellar sliding catch. He was sporting a bruise on the knee after the game and underwent treatment.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters Friday that Soto's X-rays were negative and there were no plans for additional testing.

Soto was slated to play his usual spot in right field while batting second in the lineup Friday. The revised batting order moved catcher Austin Wells up to No. 2 and had several changes; Aaron Judge moved over from center field to right and Trent Grisham entered the lineup to play center and bat seventh.

Soto, 25, is batting .288 with 40 home runs, 104 RBIs and 120 runs in 150 games in his first season with the Yankees. He is slated to become a free agent after the season.

--Field Level Media

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