Yankees welcome back Juan Soto for opener vs. Royals - ESPN

Juan Soto is returning to the New York Yankees' lineup Monday night, serving as the designated hitter against the host Kansas City Royals, manager Aaron Boone said.

Soto missed this weekend's series against the Dodgers as he dealt with left forearm inflammation.

Boone also said Aaron Judge, who earlier Monday was named AL Player of the Week, would sit out the series opener against the Royals in what was a scheduled day off.

Soto left Thursday night's 8-5 win over the Minnesota Twins during a rain delay due to soreness in his forearm that he later said had been bothering him for at least a week. An MRI revealed just the inflammation in the forearm, and no problems with his elbow.

Soto is batting .318 with 17 home runs, 53 RBIs and a 1.027 OPS. The 25-year-old outfielder, acquired in December from San Diego, can become a free agent after the World Series.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.