Nationals slugger Juan Soto sits after fouling ball off foot

<p>WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. &mdash; Washington Nationals slugger Juan Soto sat out the team’s exhibition home opener on Monday because he fouled a ball off his right foot a day earlier.</p>
<p>Manager Dave Martinez said the 2020 NL batting champion originally was scheduled to play Monday against the Houston Astros, before the mishap in batting practice Sunday.</p>
<p>“Just being cautious," Martinez said. "Said he feels OK, but we’re just going to give him a day or two. See how he feels tomorrow.”</p>
<p>Martinez said the ball went underneath the shin guard the left-handed-hitting Soto wears on his front foot while batting.</p>
<p>“It got him pretty good,” Martinez said.</p>
<p>The 22-year-old Soto hit .351 last season, with a 1.185 OPS that also led the NL. He is shifting from left field to right field in 2021.</p>
<p>Washington’s starting lineup for its second exhibition game of spring training included Ryan Zimmerman at first base. </p>
<p>Zimmerman sat out all of the 2020 season because of concerns about COVID-19.</p>
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