OAKLAND, Calif. — Juan Soto’s sliding catch on Thursday value him a begin Friday, however not the whole night time.
After being a late scratch to the Yankees’ lineup Friday due to swelling and soreness in his left knee that he slammed in opposition to the wall at T-Cellular Park the day earlier than, Soto confirmed sufficient enchancment to enter the sport as a pinch-hitter within the tenth inning.
In a shock to nobody, Soto got here by way of within the dramatic second, drilling an RBI double the opposite manner that drove in what turned out to be the successful run within the Yankees’ 4-2 victory over the A’s on the Coliseum.
X-rays had been unfavorable on Soto’s knee, however he nonetheless had some swelling and soreness Friday that, following pregame therapy and workout routines, led the Yankees to play it cautious and hold him on the bench no less than to start out the night time.
“Simply really feel prefer it’s one of the best factor to carry him out tonight,” supervisor Aaron Boone stated earlier than the sport.
With simply over every week left within the common season, as they attempt to pin down the AL East and head into October on a excessive observe, the Yankees might ailing afford being with out Soto for lengthy.
“Not overly [concerned about it long-term],” Boone stated. “Even in speaking to [director of sports medicine and rehab Mike Schuk], it’s not one thing he’s involved with long-term right here. Only a day-to-day factor. Hopefully he’s even out there tonight in some capability.”
In hindsight, the Yankees gladly would have taken the ball dropping for a foul — trailing the Mariners 3-2 within the backside of the seventh — reasonably than Soto placing his physique in danger, particularly at this level within the season.
However that’s simpler stated than achieved for Soto, who additionally has a lot at stake lower than two months away from hitting free company.
“I really feel prefer it’s simply adrenaline of the sport,” Soto stated Thursday. “We’re making an attempt to maintain the sport proper there on line and go on the market and check out our greatest. You talked about free company, this and that — after I go in these traces, I neglect about every part. I actually simply give attention to the sport. We’re making an attempt to win the sport to assist the workforce to do one of the best.”
Boone additionally stated that Soto could have saved himself from one thing worse by sliding into the wall.
“Greater than , guys do an excellent job of realizing methods to defend themselves and play sensible in sure conditions,” Boone stated. “I really suppose him getting down the way in which he did protected him slightly bit. Clearly he bruised it and he’s out at present, however the way in which he did it really averted a nasty scenario.”
It was all-too-similar to Aaron Choose’s catch at Dodger Stadium final June, which got here at a price as he busted his toe on the unpadded base of the wall.
Choose insisted that night time he was high-quality, however then was out of the lineup the subsequent day and subsequent exams revealed a torn ligament in his toe.
Soto admitted Thursday he was “actually fearful” about his knee when the play occurred, however the ache slowly began to reduce over the ultimate two innings of the sport.
Nonetheless, there was some concern because the star proper fielder stated he felt it working and when he tried to swing (his spot within the order didn’t come up once more for an at-bat).