The Yankees are set to open their series against the Oakland Athletics tonight at the Coliseum, but Juan Soto, initially slated to start in right field and bat second, has been scratched from the lineup. The decision comes after the Dominican star experienced soreness and swelling in his left knee, following a collision with the outfield wall during Thursday’s game against the Mariners.
Twenty minutes after the Yankees announced Juan Soto’s absence, the Bronx Bombers confirmed that Trent Grisham would replace him as the center fielder.
Soto’s collision with the wall leads to lineup change
Juan Soto’s knee issue stems from an incident late in Thursday’s game. In the bottom of the seventh, with runners on first and second, Mariners’ Jorge Polanco hit a deep fly ball down the right-field line.
Known for his aggressive style, Juan Soto sprinted after the ball and slid to make the catch near the outfield wall. Unfortunately, his left knee collided with an unpadded section, leading to visible discomfort. Despite completing the play, Soto remained in clear pain but stayed in the game to finish with two at-bats and a walk.
After the game, Juan Soto underwent precautionary X-rays, which came back negative. However, soreness and swelling persisted into Friday, prompting Yankees manager Aaron Boone to pull him from the lineup as a precautionary measure. While no structural damage was found, the team opted to rest him for at least one game to avoid further issues.
Monitoring Juan Soto’s status moving forward
Juan Soto is being evaluated day-to-day, with no additional testing scheduled for now. Since the start of September, the 25-year-old outfielder has been a key contributor for the Yankees, slashing .241/.405/.448 with three home runs and seven RBIs across 74 plate appearances. His absence, even for one night, will be felt, but the Yankees are playing it safe to ensure he’s healthy moving forward.
Boone expressed optimism about Juan Soto’s recovery, and the team will reassess his availability for the remainder of the series over the weekend. With the Yankees fighting to stay in the postseason hunt, Juan Soto’s health is a priority.
Jasson Dominguez also getting a day off
In addition to Juan Soto, Jasson Dominguez will also sit out Friday’s game after going 2-for-4 with a double in Thursday’s loss to Seattle. The 20-year-old prospect has been a bright spot for the Yankees since his call-up, but Boone has been careful to manage his workload. Dominguez’s day off was planned, but now it leaves the Yankees without two of their key outfielders for the series opener.
With both Juan Soto and Jasson Dominguez out, the Yankees will rely on Alex Verdugo and Aaron Judge to handle the outfield, with some lineup adjustments expected.
Up next
Despite the absence of Juan Soto, the Yankees have a favorable matchup against Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn, who enters the game with a 4.94 ERA. The Yankees, coming off a loss to the Mariners, will look to capitalize on this opportunity and start the series strong. First pitch is set for 9:40 p.m. EST at the Oakland Coliseum, as the Bronx Bombers aim to get back on track in the postseason race.
While Soto’s status remains uncertain for the rest of the weekend, the Yankees are hopeful he’ll return soon, pending how his knee responds to rest.
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