Yankees slugger Juan Soto hits pinch-hit RBI double after being scratched from the lineup

AP Sports Writer

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — New York Yankees star right fielder Juan Soto was scratched from the starting lineup a day after hurting his left leg sliding into a wall to make a catch but managed to come on as a pinch-hitter and hit an RBI double in the 10th inning.

Soto was originally in the lineup for Friday night’s game against the Oakland Athletics but was pulled out after reporting soreness and swelling in his left leg. Manager Aaron Boone said X-rays were negative and Soto will not need additional testing.

Soto showed the injury wasn’t too serious by coming on in the 10th and hitting an RBI double to give the Yankees a 3-1 lead over the A’s. Soto is 2 for 10 with four RBIs in 13 career pinch-hit appearances.

Soto hurt his leg on Thursday in Seattle when he slid into the short wall in foul territory down the right-field line while making a highlight reel catch. He remained in the game but had swelling on Friday.

Boone he wasn’t “overly concerned” the injury will linger into the postseason. The Yankees clinched a playoff berth on Wednesday night and went into day with a four-game lead in the AL East over Baltimore with nine games to play.

“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.”

Soto is batting .286 with 40 homers and 103 RBIs in his first season with the Yankees. Soto entered the day second in the majors with 125 walks, 284 times on base and a .418 on-base percentage, trailing only teammate Aaron Judge in all three categories. Soto is third in the majors with 120 runs scored.

Soto missed three games in June with left forearm inflammation.

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