The Yankees‘ first edition of their lineup on Friday was a welcome site to fans worried about a potential injury to Juan Soto. The superstar was in his usual spot batting second and playing right field in their series opener against the A’s. However, the relief would only be temporary. Shortly thereafter, the Bombers announced that Soto was scratched from the lineup due to soreness and swelling in his left knee. The outfielder made a sliding catch into the wall Thursday afternoon in Seattle during the Yanks’ 3-2 loss to the Mariners. He remained in the game, however, and the Yanks cited postgame there was not serious concern and they avoided a major injury. X-rays were negative on the 25-year-old’s knee and Aaron Boone said he is just playing it safe with October near and hopes he could be available off the bench Friday night. “We’re going to be cautious here and hold him out,” Boone said. “I had him in there, but knew he was going to need some treatment today. Going through different physical exercises, I think everyone felt like it was the best thing. … “It’s not something [Michael Schuk, the teams directed of sports medicine and rehab] is concerned with long-term here. It’s just a day-to-day thing. Again, hopefully, he’s even available tonight in some capacity.” Soto has been the biggest difference between the 2024 playoff-bound Yanks and the 2023 fourth-place installment. The slugger is slashing .286/.418/.575 with a career-high 40 homers and 103 RBI. The Yanks seem to think they dodged a bullet, however, any games played without Soto down the stretch puts playoff positioning at risk with the Guardians entering the night just a half-a-game back of the first seed in the American League. Trent Grisham took the All-Stars spot — seemingly in favor of Jasson Dominguez — and will bat seventh in the lineup.