After a 56-minute rain delay, Juan Soto was nowhere to be found when the Yankees and Twins retook the field on Thursday night.
With the Yankees leading 8-5, Alex Verdugo, originally enjoying an off day, trotted out to left field after the watery interruption. Aaron Judge slotted over to right after making his first start in left at Yankee Stadium. Trent Grisham, who started the game in center, remained in place.
A few minutes later, the Yankees announced that Soto exited the game with left forearm discomfort after going 0-for-1 with two walks and a run scored.
Soto, an impending free agent, has been nothing short of sensational this season. His .318 average led the American League at the time of his departure, and he’s added a 1.027 OPS, 17 home runs and 53 RBI.
Meanwhile, at Triple-A, Jasson Domínguez left his rehab game in the eighth inning on Thursday. The 21-year-old, working his way back from UCL surgery, has regularly exited games early during his rehab assignment.
Domínguez would be the most logical choice if the Yankees found themselves in need of an outfielder.
This is a developing story.
