New York Yankees superstar Juan Soto gave everyone a scare during Thursday's loss to the Seattle Mariners.
During the bottom of the seventh inning against the Mariners, infielder Jorge Polanco skied a ball down the line to right field with one out and runners on first and second base.
Soto, in true Soto fashion, gave chase with every intention of making a play, regardless of how close he was getting to the wall.
The 25-year-old slid at the last second to make the grab but his left knee smashed into the wall just where the padding stops.
Juan Soto CRASHES into the wall to make an incredible catch, and after being in some pain for a bit will remain in the game. #Yankees pic.twitter.com/PBLXadbjhr
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) September 19, 2024
Soto made the catch and was clearly in pain as he got up to throw the ball in, immediately falling to the ground.
He was surrounded by all of his teammates as the training staff looked at him. Soto convinced the staff and manager Aaron Boone to keep him in the game, and the superstar was able to finish the contest.
Juan Soto injury update
After the game, Boone told reporters that Soto will get X-rays just to make sure there was no further damage, but they feel he avoided a major injury.
"I think him sliding the way he did served him well. My biggest fear was that he twisted something and I think sliding like that probably preserved him a little bit and banged his knee pretty good," Boone said. "As of now, we'll get X-rays just to make sure but as of now, it looks like he'll be okay."
Soto told reporters that after getting treatment, his knee feels good but that he did have some concern initially when his knee banged against the wall.
“At that moment, I was literally just thinking about my health,” Soto said. “I know everybody wants me to be healthy in the playoffs. Definitely, I was thinking about my health more than anything else. … It’s a bruise, because I hit it off the wall -- literally straight up in the concrete. It definitely feels better [after getting treatment].”
The Yankees don't have a day off until Monday. They wrap up their final West Coast trip of the regular season this weekend with a trip to take on the Oakland Athletics.
It doesn't need to be stated what Soto means to the Yankees and their playoff run. They already clinched a playoff berth but are still looking to lock up the division with a crucial series against the Baltimore Orioles waiting for them next week.
MORE YANKEES
Yankees linked to former Cy Young winner as potential Gerrit Cole replacement
MLB insider reveals five teams expected to pursue Juan Soto
Yankees are 'strong match' to sign rival All-Star closer, per insider
