BREAKING: Yankees await Juan Soto’s return with unexpected rule
The New York Yankees managed to get through the weekend without Juan Soto and are hopeful that their star right fielder has recovered. Soto missed the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers due to left forearm inflammation but is expected to return for Monday night’s game, the first of a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals. Soto has been out since the fifth inning of Thursday’s win over the Minnesota Twins and was on the bench as the Yankees lost two of three to the Dodgers, their first series loss since late April and early May against Baltimore. While Soto wasn’t considered for the first two games against the Dodgers, he was a potential option for Sunday’s game. Although he wasn’t needed, fans called for him just before Trent Grisham hit a decisive three-run homer, leading to a 6-4 win. Aaron Judge also homered, his third of the series, bringing his league-leading total to 24. The Yankees struggled offensively, batting .
226 and going 3-for-21 with runners in scoring position. Manager Aaron Boone is optimistic about Soto’s return, stating it’s just a matter of how Soto feels. Meanwhile, Kansas City, after an eight-game winning streak ended on May 25, has gone 5-8 in their last 13 games. They missed a sweep of the Seattle Mariners when closer James McArthur faltered in the 10th inning on Sunday, allowing three runs. Hoping to bounce back, the Royals will start Seth Lugo, who is 9-1 with a 2.13 ERA. Lugo has been strong since his only loss in April, going 6-0 with a 2.19 ERA in eight starts. However, he struggled in his last outing, giving up five runs in six innings. Lugo’s career record against the Yankees includes a 2.53 ERA over 12 appearances. The Yankees will counter with Carlos Rodon, who is on a six-game winning streak with a 2.48 ERA during this span. Rodon has allowed two runs or fewer in 10 of his 13 starts this season after a difficult 2023. Despite his recent success, Rodon has a 3-6 record with a 5.27 ERA in 11 starts against the Royals, including a rough final start last season when he allowed eight runs without recording an out.