Juan Soto injury: New York Yankees star scratched from starting lineup due to hand bruise

New York Yankees star Juan Soto was scratched from the starting lineup Saturday afternoon due to a hand injury.

Soto was in the starting lineup for Saturday's afternoon game against the Toronto Blue Jays, the third of a four-game series. However, roughly 20 minutes before first pitch, Soto was a last-minute scratch.

An update from the Yankees revealed Soto is dealing with a right hand bruise he sustained when sliding into home plate during the fourth inning of Friday's 16-5 win.

Soto will undergo imaging later Saturday.

Soto was replaced in right field utility player Oswaldo Cabrera. Rookie first baseman Ben Rice was bumped up to the No. 2 spot in the order.

Soto is coming off a Friday night game in which he went 2-for-4 with a monster three-run home run. He hit the home run after sustaining the injury, which came on a ground ball in the fourth inning.

Though Soto's left hand was the one that swiped home plate, his right hand came down hard on the ground after he scored.

Soto has been one of the best players in MLB this season with a .302 batting average, 20 home runs, 60 RBI, 69 walks and a 1.004 OPS in 81 games.

For more Yankees coverage , check out Kevin Hickey's work on Sporting News .

Be sure to check out our team home page every day for the best and latest New York Yankees news and analysis.