New York Yankees superstar outfielder Juan Soto was scratched from the team's lineup Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays due to a hand injury.
According to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, Soto suffered a bruised hand while sliding into home plate during the Yankees win over Toronto on Friday. However, manager Aaron Boone said X-rays on the slugger's hand came back negative.
"He took some swings pregame and it just wasn't good enough to go today," Boone said. per ESPN. "Obviously a lot of treatment today and into the night. We'll see what we have tomorrow."
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The Yankees initially announced that Soto would bat second and play right field on Saturday, but a revised lineup released about 20 minutes before the start of the game had first baseman Ben Rice slotted in the 2-hole and Oswaldo Cabrera replacing Soto in right.
Prior to Saturday, Soto had missed only three of the Yankees' 84 games this season, and they all came during a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers this month.
Soto was dealing with discomfort in his left forearm and elbow at the time, but imaging showed only inflammation and no structural damage, so he was able to return the next series.
New York acquired the 25-year-old Soto in a blockbuster trade with the San Diego Padres this past offseason, and he has been every bit as good as advertised.
The three-time All-Star is hitting .302 and leads the American League with a .434 on-base percentage, plus he has slugged 20 home runs with 60 RBI and 68 runs scored, making him legitimate AL MVP candidate.
With Soto and fellow superstar outfielder Aaron Judge in the middle of the lineup, the Yanks are one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league and World Series contenders.
New York has hit the skids recently, though, dropping seven of its past nine games and four of its past five.
Even so, the Yankees are in a virtual tie for first place in the AL East with the Baltimore Orioles with a 53-31 record, giving them the third-best mark in the AL.
Offensive production has been fleeting for players outside of Soto and Judge, though, meaning the Yankees can ill afford to be without Soto for an extended period of time.
They will have to make do without him against Toronto on Saturday, but the Yankees and their fans will undoubtedly hold their breath and hope the imaging results are positive, much like they were previously for his forearm and elbow.
