Less than 24 hours after raising a glass to celebrate their postseason entry, Juan Soto threw the Yankees into a potential nightmare. While he pulled off what could be considered his best defensive grab of the season, it was a bit risky. Just after the team had been basking in October dreams on Wednesday night, with one incredible yet scary catch, Soto had all their postseason hopes flashing before their eyes the very next day. Everybody present in the stadium felt the same emotion.

Panic spread like wildfire when Juan Soto sprinted after a fly ball in right-field foul territory, sliding into the wall for a catch. The sound of his body hitting the concrete sent shivers through the crowd. As he lay on the ground, the air felt thick with tension. Was he okay? Well, his teammates and manager Aaron Boone quickly rushed to his side to check this out. Fortunately, after a few tense moments, Soto popped back up, ready to continue the game. But for those few moments, it seemed like everyone was holding their breath, and the 25-year-old felt every ounce of that anxiety!

How did Juan feel once he hit the wall?

As per MLB, postgame, when the left fielder was asked how he felt at that moment, Soto said, “I was literally just thinking about my health.” Losing a key player like him just before the playoffs would have sent shockwaves through the team, and the eerie feeling of déjà vu must have lingered among the Bronx! Especially with fresh memories of Aaron Judge’s injury last season that knocked them off course. With only nine games left before the playoffs, the thought of history repeating itself could be unsettling. But thankfully, he didn’t face a serious injury.

Initially diagnosed with a contusion, Juan Soto was set for precautionary X-rays, but there was good news. After the treatment, he reassured everyone, saying his knee “feels pretty good; not bad at all.” While Soto might be feeling okay now, those moments right after the catch were filled with intense emotions—“Definitely, it was a little scary right there,” he noted, but was it all worth it? As Soto chased down Jorge Polanco’s fly ball, he made a daring slide to snag it, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. However, the verdict wasn’t exactly favorable for the Yankees.

At first, the play was ruled a foul ball, with the ball hitting the wall before entering Soto’s glove. But after a replay review, the call was overturned, much to the team’s relief. If anything went south, things would have gone worse, and not just for the Yankees, given the team is counting on Soto to end their trophy drought. However, at the same time, Juan Soto alluded earlier that agent Scott Boras will spend the winter courting untold riches in free agency.

What are Juan Soto’s thoughts when on the field

The question regarding what will happen once Juan joins free agency next year isn’t new, right? He put it in a very simple way: “You mention free agency, this and that. When I go in those lines, I forget about everything.” That drive to win is evident in his play—just look at how Soto threw himself into a concrete wall for a catch. It’s all about the game for him, and with 40 home runs under his belt, that passion shines through. But even though Juan Soto played well, yet again, while also almost dodging an injury, the overall game between the Yankees and Mariners turned out to be a tough one for the Bronx. In the end, the score reflected their struggles: a narrow 3-2 loss.

Jasson Dominguez, who was brought up with high hopes, had another rough outing, making his second defensive mishap. This time, a dropped fly ball in left field allowed the Mariners to jump ahead 3-0, as Dominguez struggled to track the ball in the bright sun. But there are still nine games left to play, and anything can happen! Now, the big question is whether Juan Soto will be ready to play in Friday’s crucial series opener at Oakland. According to Aaron Boone, there’s optimism that he won’t miss the game. However, it all depends on how Soto feels that morning – fingers crossed we see him on the field.

With the Yankees dropping a game and the Orioles winning one, the lead has narrowed to just four games. Time is ticking, and the Yankees need to make a move! What are your thoughts on this? Drop them in the comments.