Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — New York Yankees star Juan Soto was pulled from the starting lineup a day ago after injuring his left leg sliding into a wall to catch a fly ball. But he managed to fill in as a pinch-hitter and hit an RBI double in the 10th inning.

Soto was originally scheduled to be in the lineup for Friday night’s game against the Oakland Athletics but was pulled after reporting pain and swelling in his left leg. Manager Aaron Boone said X-rays were negative and Soto will not require additional testing.

Soto showed the injury wasn’t too serious by coming in in the 10th and hitting an RBI double to give the Yankees a 3-1 lead over the A’s. Soto is 2 for 10 with four RBIs in 13 career pinch-hit appearances.

Soto injured his leg Thursday in Seattle when he slid into the short wall in foul territory along the right-field line while making a highlight reel catch. He remained in the game but was dealing with swelling Friday.

Boone wasn’t “overly concerned” that the injury would linger into the postseason. The Yankees clinched a playoff spot Wednesday night, entering the day with a four-game lead over Baltimore in the AL East with nine games remaining.

“Guys know how to protect themselves and play smart in certain situations,” Boone said. “I think he protected himself a little bit by going that way. He obviously hurt it and he’s out today. But I think he avoided something serious that way.”

Soto is hitting .286 with 40 homers and 103 RBIs in his first season with the Yankees. Soto entered the day second in the majors with 125 walks, 284 on bases and a .418 on-base percentage, trailing only teammate Aaron Judge in all three categories. Soto is third in the majors with 120 runs scored.

Soto missed three games in June due to an inflammation in his left forearm.

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