Nationals' Juan Soto not in lineup for second straight game due to knee injury

Despite telling reporters his knee felt good earlier on Wednesday, Nationals outfielder Juan Soto was not in the lineup for a second straight game. 

Soto slipped in the Nationals’ dugout and banged his knee against the bench during Monday’s game against the Atlanta Braves. The incident happened before the top of the ninth inning. He was seen visibly limping in the outfield during the frame. He was eventually taken out the game and pinch hit for in his spot in the bottom of the ninth. 

X-rays came back clean, but he was not in the lineup for Tuesday’s game for precautionary reasons, according to Nationals manager Dave Martinez.

The expectation was Soto would be back in the lineup Wednesday. The 23-year old even told reporters, “I’m good, all good” after going through pregame drills with the team’s medical director.

When Wednesday’s lineup rolled out, Soto was omitted.

Martinez told reporters earlier in the day, that he rather hold Soto out of the lineup and have him pinch hit off the bench so as not to aggravate his knee.