Padres’ left fielder Juan Soto was scratched from Sunday’s game against the New York Yankees due to back tightness. The announcement of his injury was made just ten minutes before the game’s first pitch. Soto was scheduled to bat third in San Diego’s original lineup, but José Azocar replaced him. Soto did come up to bat as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning, grounding out against Clay Holmes and ending his 11-game on-base streak. Padres’ manager Bob Melvin stated that he expects Soto to return to the starting lineup for Tuesday’s series opener against the Marlins. Soto has hit ten home runs and 24 RBIs with a .263 batting average in his first full season with the Padres.
Yankees’ Anthony Rizzo Exits Game After Collision
During the top of the sixth inning of Sunday’s game, Yankees’ Anthony Rizzo collided with Fernando Tatis Jr. on a pickoff attempt at first base. Rizzo was removed from the game ahead of the seventh inning for “precautionary reasons” after suffering a neck injury in the collision. However, Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone stated that Rizzo was “fine” after going through tests postgame.
Padres’ Manager Bob Melvin’s Decision to Bench Soto
Padres’ manager Bob Melvin decided to bench Juan Soto due to back tightness, stating that he wasn’t comfortable with Soto playing with stiffness. Melvin further added that he wanted to take one swing with him at some point in time.
Soto’s Recent Performance with the Padres
Soto hit a two-run homer in Friday’s game against the Yankees, ending the game with a 5-1 win, after fouling a pitch off his left knee. He hit a 432-foot drive to right field that came off the bat at 114 mph, the Padres’ hardest-hit home run this season. Soto’s on-base streak lasted 11 games, which ended when he was a pinch hitter in the ninth inning of Sunday’s game.
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