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The New York Yankees have received an encouraging update on outfielder Juan Soto after a worrisome forearm injury. The superstar went for an MRI on Friday afternoon after complaining of forearm tightness, but he looks to be in the clear, via Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
Initial doctor report suggests Soto will be OK. Radiologist will review though to be sure. https://t.co/7djYFfVSQN
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 7, 2024
Soto has already arrived at Yankee Stadium for the club's matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night, but he is not in the lineup, per Yankees insider Bryan Hoch.
Juan Soto arrives 👊
Watch for all the latest on Soto beginning at 6p on YES and the YES App: https://t.co/0cgHA97Iau pic.twitter.com/A5qwsacQ0M
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) June 7, 2024
Apparently, it is nothing more than inflammation for Soto, Heyman notes.
Initial prognosis is inflammation for Soto. So looks like a relief.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 7, 2024
While the Yankees are not necessarily out of the woods yet, this is obviously fantastic news given what this could have been. Typically, when “forearm tightness” is mentioned, the first thought is a potential UCL injury, which could lead to Tommy John surgery. It looks like New York has avoided that nightmare scenario.
Aaron Boone said the imaging on Juan Soto’s forearm revealed just inflammation. He called it “good news.”
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) June 7, 2024
The Yankees acquired Soto in a blockbuster trade with the San Diego Padres back in December. He has been a revelation for the Bronx Bombers this season, slashing .318/.424/.603 with 17 home runs and 53 RBI.
New York is 45-19 and owns the best record in baseball, thanks much in part to the heroic efforts of Soto.
Juan Soto has captured the hearts of Yankees fans
The last time Yankees fans fell in love with an offseason acquisition this much may very well have been Reggie Jackson back in the late '70s.
Soto has fully ingratiated himself to the Bronx faithful, with his phenomenal play and infectious personality turning him into an instant fan favorite. It also has Yankees fans sitting on pins and needles, as Soto is slated to hit free agency next offseason.
The 25-year-old is expected to earn a contract worth north of $500 million, and considering Scott Boras is his agent, you already know that re-signing him won't be easy for the Yanks. Boras is going to milk whatever he can for his client.
But can the Yankees really afford to let Soto walk?
Soto has transformed this team, which won just 82 games a year ago. He isn't just doing it with his bat, either. Soto has also been surprisingly tremendous defensively, boasting a 6.2 UZR/150. That comes in spite of the fact that he has never been known as a good defender.
The Dominican native began his career with the Washington Nationals and broke into the big leagues in 2018. The following year, he was already a World Series champion after slashing .282/.401/.548 with 34 homers and 110 RBI during the regular season. He then smashed five long balls in those playoffs, including three in the World Series.
The Nationals ultimately traded Soto to the Padres midway through the 2022 campaign. He spent just a season-and-a-half in San Diego before being dealt to New York.
Soto has made three All-Star appearances in the early stages of his career, and in 2021, he finished second in MVP voting after slashing .313/.465/.534 with 29 dingers and 95 RBI. He slashed .275/.410/.519 with 35 home runs and 109 RBI last season.
With Soto, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees have the most dangerous trio of hitters in all of baseball.
We'll see if Soto suits up at all during New York's three-game set with the Dodgers this weekend. He is definitely not in Friday night's lineup.
