The New York Yankees will wrap up the weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday without star Juan Soto in the starting lineup.
Soto, who is resting due to inflammation in his left forearm, isn't expected to hit the injured list. Manager Aaron Boone told reporters before Sunday's game when Soto may be able to return to the lineup.
Boone said Soto will go through his normal pregame routine before Sunday's game, making him a potential pinch-hitter for the finale against the Dodgers.
But more likely, the team expects him to be back for the series against the Kansas City Royals, which begins Monday, June 10.
Juan Soto may be an option off the bench. They expect him to be available against KC.
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) June 9, 2024
It's far from a guaranteed return date, but it does provide encouragement that Soto is heading in the right direction with his treatment.
Soto hasn't suited up at all during the weekend series against the Dodgers. He was a decoy Friday night and didn't have his jersey on for the Saturday night game.
Boone told reporters Saturday that Soto isn't planning on receiving any injections for his forearm and that the MRI came back clean on both the forearm and elbow.
The Yankees offense struggled for the first two games of the series against the Dodgers, mustering just four runs while going 1-15 with runners in scoring position.
Getting Soto back is vital for the offense, but it's also wise to take a cautious approach so that no issues come up later in the season.
For more Yankees coverage, check out Kevin Hickey's work on Sporting News.
