Juan Soto (forearm) set to miss a couple days

Yankees outfielder Juan Soto, who is nursing left forearm inflammation, is unlikely to play in this weekend’s series against the Dodgers, with manager Aaron Boone saying Saturday that “it’s going to at least be a couple of days” until Soto returns. Boone added that a stint on the injured list is possible, but he didn’t expect that to be the case.

Soto had an MRI exam on Friday that revealed the inflammation but no structural damage, a dose of “good news,” per Boone. Soto held a bat in his hands near the top step of the dugout several times during Friday’s 2-1, 11-inning loss to the Dodgers, though Boone said that Soto was not considered available to play.

“It’s always tough to watch the game from the bench,” Soto said. “I want to be out there, trying to win a game with my teammates. I tried to enjoy the moment, but this is what it is. We have to take what we have right now and keep moving forward.”

With Soto out of the lineup, left fielder Alex Verdugo assumed the No. 2 spot in the batting order on Friday, with Aaron Judge moving from center field to right field. Trent Grisham started in center field, an arrangement that continued on Saturday.

Soto exited Thursday’s 8-5 victory over the Twins following a 56-minute rain delay, during which he was examined by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad.

Boone said that Soto did not have any injections on Friday, and that anti-inflammatories have been prescribed. Soto, who said on Thursday that he has been “grinding” through the discomfort, said that he believes that will quell the issue.

Soto is hitting an American League-leading .318 with 17 homers and 53 RBIs in 64 games. His .424 on-base percentage is the best in the Majors.