OAKLAND, Calif. — Juan Soto’s sliding catch on Thursday price 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-Cell 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 within the dramatic second, drilling an RBI double the opposite method that drove in what turned out to be the successful run within the Yankees’ 4-2 victory over the A’s on the Coliseum.
“We tried the knee early earlier than the sport,” Soto stated. “We went to the cage, hit a bit bit. We tried out the health club, too, we did some squats and stuff. It reacted fairly nicely.
“So all through the sport I used to be feeling good, it wasn’t sore or something after all of the work we put in. That’s after I knew I had a very good probability to be an choice.”
X-rays have been unfavourable on Soto’s knee, however he nonetheless had some swelling and soreness Friday that, following pregame remedy and workout routines, led the Yankees to play it cautiously and preserve him on the bench, no less than to start out the night time.
However Soto got here to Aaron Boone round mid-game after getting his work in and advised his supervisor that he may very well be an choice for a pinch-hit spot if the Yankees wanted it. Boone stated he wasn’t going to do it if there was only a man on second within the tenth, figuring the A’s would simply stroll him, however as soon as the Yankees put runners on the corners, Soto walked out for his massive second.
“I do know we clinched [a playoff spot], however on the finish of the day, the objective is to win the division,” Soto stated. “We’re actually shut [to] that. I didn’t take into consideration any break day or something like that, however we’re attempting to be good too and take into consideration October.”
Soto appeared to maneuver nicely in operating to second base. He stated he had “a bit little bit of soreness, however not as unhealthy because it was this morning.”
Whether or not he will get again into the lineup Saturday is determined by how he wakes up, he stated.
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 word, the Yankees might ailing afford being with out Soto for lengthy.
“Not overly [concerned about it long-term],” Boone stated earlier than the sport. “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.”
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 — somewhat 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.
Boone additionally stated that Soto could have saved himself from one thing worse by sliding into the wall.
“Greater than you already know, guys do a very good job of figuring out easy methods to shield themselves and play good in sure conditions,” Boone stated. “I truly assume him getting down the best way he did protected him a bit bit. Clearly he bruised it and he’s out right this moment, however the best way he did it truly prevented a nasty state of affairs.”
