In a dramatic turn of events, Juan Soto made an impressive comeback after suffering from a swollen left knee. Just minutes before the game, Soto tested his knee in the batting cage and gained confidence with each successful swing. He approached manager Aaron Boone during the early innings, expressing his belief that he could provide a crucial hit if needed. And sure enough, in the 10th inning, Soto delivered a pinch-hit RBI double that helped secure a 4-2 victory for the Yankees over the Athletics.
Teammate Gerrit Cole described Soto as “showman-like” and someone who thrives in high-pressure moments. This is not the first time Soto has turned pain into triumph during his debut season with the Yankees.
Soto’s cinematic moment on Friday came after being initially included in the Yankees’ lineup but being scratched due to swelling and soreness in his knee. Despite this setback, he focused on getting his knee ready for action and did everything necessary to ensure he felt good at home plate.
Soto’s pinch-hit heroics were met with praise from catcher Austin Wells, who jokingly asked why he couldn’t play the entire game if it was so effortless for him to hit a double off the bench.
The injury occurred when Soto made an incredible catch against the Mariners on Thursday but collided with a concrete wall along the right-field line. Fortunately, X-rays taken earlier on Friday showed no serious damage or fractures.
Soto expressed relief upon receiving negative results from his X-rays and was pleasantly surprised by how well his knee responded to treatment during Friday’s game.
Manager Aaron Boone also expressed optimism about Soto’s status after consulting with Michael Schuk, director of sports medicine and rehabilitation for the team. While it remains uncertain whether Soto will be included in Saturday’s lineup, one thing is clear: even when not officially listed as part of their batting order, there is always a good chance that Soto will make an impact on games with impressive performances like this one.
As for now, it remains to be seen how well Sato wakes up tomorrow morning and how his knee responds overnight.
