Juan Soto pulled from Yankees lineup over concerning injury
Feb 25, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Juan Soto (22) smiles in the dugout against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
New York Yankees star Juan Soto was unexpectedly pulled from the lineup during the team’s Thursday contest against the Minnesota Twins.
The Yankees led 8-5 through five innings before rain forced a one-hour stoppage in play at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y.
The 25-year-old slugger was slated to be the first Yankee to bat once play resumed. But he was replaced with Alex Verdugo once the weather cleared up. Soto had walked twice and flew out once over three plate appearances.
Several pinstripe fans on X immediately panicked when no initial word was given on Soto’s status before the switch occurred.
The Yankees should be legally required to tell us why Juan Soto was taken out. Not even being comical here it should be illegal to not know what's going on. Insanely illegal.
— Ryan Garcia (@RyanGarciaESM) June 7, 2024
JUAN SOTO WHERE ARE YOU pic.twitter.com/e91oDNt31B
— Danny (@papa_gleyber25_) June 7, 2024
Join me in a pray circle
🕯 🕯
🕯 🕯
Juan Soto
🕯 Is 🕯
okay
🕯 🕯
🕯 🕯— {CJN} Ethan (@eb1302_) June 7, 2024
I have never wanted Juan Soto to have diarrhea so bad in my life.
— NYY Recaps (@NYYRecapsDerek) June 7, 2024
The team later announced that Soto had sat out the second half of the game due to forearm discomfort.
Juan Soto left tonight's game due to left forearm discomfort.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 7, 2024
Neither team scored after play resumed, resulting in an 8-5 Yankees win.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters after the game that the forearm issue has botherd Soto throughout the past week. Boone added that Soto will undergo imaging on Friday.
Aaron Boone says Juan Soto's forearm discomfort has been bothering him for the past week.
He will undergo imaging tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/IWPkhfnkQY
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) June 7, 2024
Over his first three months as a Yankee, Soto has been one of the best hitters in baseball. The 3-time All-Star has batted .318 with 17 home runs and 53 RBIs across 64 games.
Soto’s OPS of 1.027 ranks second just behind teammate Aaron Judge’s 1.081 mark for best in the majors.