Yankees win as Juan Soto (bruised hand) late addition to lineup

TORONTO — New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was a late addition to the lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays after sitting out a loss a day earlier because of a bruised right hand.

The three-time All-Star and 2020 NL batting champion singled against Toronto right-hander Kevin Gausman in his first at-bat and scored on Aaron Judge’s 31st home run of the season.

He finished the day 1-for-3 with an RBI and two walks in the Yankees’ 8-1 victory.

Soto was injured Friday night after he slid into home plate in the fourth inning of a 16-5 win. He rolled over after touching home plate with his left hand and his right hand slammed into the dirt.

Judge had been expected to play right field, with Trent Grisham in center, but New York added Soto to the lineup minutes before first pitch. Soto started in right field and Judge was the designated hitter.

Before making his decision, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Soto was feeling better.

“Pretty significant improvement from where he was yesterday with the treatment he was able to get,” Boone said.

After the game, Boone explained the circumstances that led to Soto being inserted into the lineup minutes before first pitch after he was initially set to sit out.

“I was sitting here getting ready to go out and Juan shows up in my office like, ‘Is it too late to get in there?’ I’m like, ‘No, I don’t think so … I just want to make sure we’re good with the trainers’ … and they said yeah he looked good just hitting right now, no issues, and we kinda scrambled and switched it up.”

Soto is batting .303 with 20 home runs and 61 RBIs. He said he felt pain during batting practice Saturday, forcing him to alter his swing.

Boone was asked how he feels about Soto wanting to be in the lineup.

“I love it,” he said. “The biggest thing I told him this morning when he got here — because I knew he was feeling better … was I just didn’t want him to compromise his swing.”

Soto had X-rays Saturday, which did not show a fracture.

The Yankees are off Monday before hosting Cincinnati on Tuesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.