NEW YORK — Star outfielder Juan Soto was out of the New York Yankees‘ starting lineup for the third straight game as his club prepared for its series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Soto could return for a series opener against the Kansas City Royals on Monday night.
Soto is being treated for left forearm inflammation. He missed the opening two games of the weekend set, both by won the Dodgers, 2-1 in 11 innings on Friday and 11-3 on Saturday.
Manager Aaron Boone said Soto could be an option off the bench Sunday night.
New York had scored only four runs in 23 innings at the plate since Soto left Thursday night’s 8-5 win over Minnesota. Three came on two solo homers Saturday by Aaron Judge and his RBI single in the 11th inning of the opener.
In losing the first two games to the Dodgers, the Yankees hit .200 (15 for 75), including .067 (1 for 15) with runners in scoring position.
Soto is batting .318 with 17 home runs, 53 RBIs and a 1.027 OPS. The 25-year-old outfielder, acquired in December from San Diego, can become a free agent after the World Series.
A scan Friday did not reveal any problems with his elbow, the Yankees said.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo, in a 1-for-29 slide this month, also was out of the starting lineup in what Boone said was a day off. Boone said he also might rest Rizzo for Monday night’s game at the Royals.
Rizzo, a three-time All-Star who turns 35 in August, is hitting .224 with seven homers and 25 RBIs.
New York also designated right-hander Dennis Santana for assignment and recalled right-hander Ron Marinaccio from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Boone also said outfielder Jasson Domínguez is getting close to being available for a return to the Yankees if needed on the big league club. The 21-year-old, coming back from Tommy John surgery, had four hits in his first five at-bats Sunday for Scranton and was hitting .500 (10 for 20) with two home runs and three doubles in five games since he was promoted to New York’s top farm team.