Juan Soto, who was a surprise addition to the lineup for Sunday’s game at Toronto after initially missing with a right hand contusion, returned to the right field position on Tuesday against the Bronx. Manager Aaron Boone is confident Soto has overcome his hand issue after a day of rest on Monday.
“I feel OK,” Boone said before the Yankees’ 5-4 loss to the Reds. “The swelling has gone down over the last couple of days, the pain has been tolerable, and I feel like I’m in good shape going forward.”
After the loss, in which Soto was hitless and walked one time at three at-bats, Boone said he did not need to undergo further testing on his hand on Monday.
Soto played all 162 games for the Padres last season but has missed four games this year, including Saturday’s game against the Blue Jays, in which X-rays on his hand showed no abnormalities.
Soto missed the start of the season with inflammation in his left forearm. Since returning from the forearm injury on Tuesday, he has continued to perform well, posting a .900 OPS in 18 games.
Boone said right-hander Scott Efros could return to the bullpen after the All-Star break.
“That could potentially happen,” Boone said.
Efros has been out since 2022 following Tommy John surgery, and his return has been delayed by back surgery in December.
He is scheduled to make another rehab appearance Wednesday at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Efros struggled in his second start with SWB, allowing five hits in 2 1/3 innings, but the Yankees are interested in taking a look at the pitcher they acquired from the Cubs at the 2022 trade deadline.
“That’s the hope,” Boone said of Efros’ return to form. “He seems pretty good. … He doesn’t seem that different from before.”
Giancarlo Stanton, who is on the disabled list with a left hamstring injury, is improving and is expected to return within the next few weeks.
Boone said Stanton hit, pitched and did some light running on Tuesday.
“He seems to be moving in the right direction,” Boone said.
Clark Schmidt said he started his throwing program a little earlier than originally planned because he is recovering from a right latissimus dorsi strain.
The right-hander said after playing catch last week, he was back at 75 feet on Monday and was able to throw harder.
“I’m not in pain so I’m doing well,” said Schmidt, who has been sidelined since late May.
Caleb Ferguson has allowed runs in four of his past six appearances, and the Yankees have lost each of the left-hander’s past six appearances.
Gleyber Torres had just two hits in three straight games after a brief stint on the bench, but he had a one-run single in the sixth inning. … Jose Trevino has just two hits in his past 25 at-bats.
