Juan Soto has injury scare after spectacular sliding catch

SEATTLE — It is no stretch to say that the Yankees’ postseason dreams hung in the balance as Juan Soto took a few extra beats on the dirt warning track Thursday afternoon, having slid hard into the right-field wall while making a dazzling seventh-inning catch.

Almost every member of the Yankees’ defense clustered around the superstar, willing him back to his feet. Soto rose tentatively, flexing his left knee, then told manager Aaron Boone that he could continue in the game. A coast away, you could sense a city tentatively exhale, despite the Yankees’ 3-2 loss to the Mariners at T-Mobile Park.

“At that moment, I was literally just thinking about my health,” Soto said. “I know everybody wants me to be healthy in the playoffs. Definitely, I was thinking about my health more than anything else. … It’s a bruise, because I hit it off the wall — literally straight up in the concrete. It definitely feels better [after getting treatment].”

Less than 24 hours after toasting his team’s postseason entry in a wet and wild clinch celebration, Soto gave the Bombers a scare, completing what was arguably his best defensive grab of the season.

Initially diagnosed with a contusion, Soto will undergo precautionary X-rays. He had treatment after the game and said the knee “feels pretty good; not bad at all.”

Boone said that he is optimistic that the 25-year-old superstar will not miss time. As for Friday’s series opener at Oakland, Soto said it would depend on how he feels in the morning.

“I think him sliding the way he did served him well,” Boone said. “My biggest fear was that he twisted something. I think sliding like that probably preserved him a little bit. He banged his knee pretty good.”

On the play in question, Soto ranged toward the right-field line in pursuit of Jorge Polanco’s fly, going into a slide as he made the catch. It was initially ruled that the ball hit the wall before entering Soto’s glove, making it simply a foul ball — but it was overturned after a replay review.

Soto showed noticeable discomfort as he popped up to throw the ball in to keep Randy Arozarena from scoring from second, but the outfielder then reached immediately for his left knee.

“I was really worried,” Soto said. “I went straight into the concrete, and when I threw the ball, I just felt a lot of pain in my kneecap. Definitely, with time, [the pain] started going down and feeling better. Definitely, it was a little scary right there.”

Boone and head athletic trainer Tim Lentych were among those consulting with Soto, who drew cheers from the crowd as he remained in the game. Within the clubhouse walls, there was cautious exultation as well, said right-hander Clarke Schmidt.

“It was an amazing play,” Schmidt said. “I’m happy he’s doing good. Your heart definitely skips a couple of beats. I’m sure all the Yankee fans across the world were feeling the same.”

Soto has plenty riding on the next several weeks – not only are the Yankees counting on him to help end a World Series drought dating to 2009, but as he alluded earlier in the week, Soto and agent Scott Boras will spend the winter courting untold riches in free agency.

He has every reason not to slide into walls, yet said it’s impossible to separate himself from “the adrenaline of the game.”

“We’re trying to keep the game right there,” Soto said. “You mention free agency, this and that. When I go in those lines, I forget about everything. I literally just focus on the game, trying to win the game, to help the team do the best.”

Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit his 23rd homer of the season (and his 10th as a Yankee), but the Bombers were unable to overcome a three-run first inning, set into motion as left fielder Jasson Domínguez dropped a bases-loaded Justin Turner fly ball for an error.

“He didn’t see it well at all,” Boone said. “That was costly. He just did not pick it up well at any point. Tough sky at that time [with the sun] there, but obviously, a play we’ve got to make.”

Polanco followed with a sacrifice fly and J.P. Crawford lined a run-scoring single off Schmidt, who navigated five innings of three-run ball (one earned).

“Stuff like that happens; it’s baseball,” Schmidt said. “I don’t really care about [the error]. The only thing that sucks is adding on pitches. I was happy with being able to get out of that inning, being able to stay in the game and not get chased there.”

Other than Chisholm’s third-inning homer, the bats were quiet against right-hander Logan Gilbert, who struck out nine over 5 1/3 innings. Domínguez was thrown out at home plate attempting to score on Anthony Volpe’s second-inning single; Boone said he had no issue with the aggressive send by third-base coach Luis Rojas.

“Credit to them; they executed perfectly,” Boone said. “It’s the second inning, so you can’t just sit on your hands there. We’ve got to play the game.”