The New York Yankees faced a setback Thursday night as their star right fielder, Juan Soto, was forced to leave the game against the Minnesota Twins due to discomfort in his left forearm. The team confirmed the injury, with initial reports emerging from Max Goodman of NJ.com and subsequently verified by the Yankees themselves.
Juan Soto to undergo more tests Friday
Following the Yankees’ 8-5 win over the Twins, manager Aaron Boone provided an update on Juan Soto’s health following tonight’s game. According to Boone, Juan Soto, who left the game due to forearm discomfort, will undergo imaging this Friday. The manager noted that Soto’s arm has been a source of soreness and lingering issues recently. Be that as it may, Boone emphasized that Soto’s removal from the game was a precautionary measure.
This information was also confirmed by Juan Soto in an interview with YES Network. Soto said he has been feeling discomfort in his forearm for a week and a half to two weeks. There was no specific moment when the pain started. He recalled waking up one day with tightness and has been grinding through it ever since.
In an ironic twist, as Juan Soto exited the game against the Twins due to injury, Jasson Dominguez was also pulled from his Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre game at the same moment, according to a report by the NY POST.
Juan Soto’s season with the Yankees
Juan Soto‘s inaugural season with the Yankees has been stellar, playing a pivotal role in their impressive 45-19 record. In 63 games, he boasts a remarkable .319/.422/.605 batting line with 17 home runs and 53 RBIs.
Historically, durability has not been a concern for Juan Soto, who is set to become a free agent. Prior to his departure, he had a productive outing, drawing two walks and scoring a run. His absence saw Alex Verdugo, acquired from the Boston Red Sox, stepping in.
The injury occurred during the final game of a series with the Twins, with the Yankees on a seven-game winning streak after securing victories in the first two games.
Despite the setback, Juan Soto has been a constant presence for the team, having not missed a game this season and playing in all 162 games last year with the San Diego Padres. His reputation for durability precedes him, having played over 150 games in nearly all of his major league seasons.
Since joining the Yankees on a lucrative one-year deal worth $31 million, Juan Soto has made a significant impact, ranking among the league leaders in batting average, home runs, and RBIs through 63 games.
Looking ahead
With Juan Soto leading the charge, the Yankees sit comfortably atop the AL East division with a commanding 45-19 record. Despite the injury, the team remains strong and anticipates facing the Los Angeles Dodgers in an upcoming series, hopeful for Juan Soto’s prompt return.
In the interim, the Yankees will look to Verdugo to fill the void in right field. The 28-year-old has contributed steadily this season with eight home runs, 34 RBIs, and a .252 batting average across 218 at-bats.
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