MILWAUKEE (AP) - All-Star catcher Geovany Soto left the Chicago Cubs' game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning Friday night, grimacing and shaking his left hand after fouling off a pitch.
Manager Lou Piniella and a member of the team's training staff talked to Soto briefly at home plate about the hand before replacing him with Koyie Hill."Precautionary," Piniella said when asked why Soto was removed. "We think he's going to be fine."
Soto was scratched during a game earlier this month because of soreness in the hand. He said he felt a bit of pain, but nothing that seemed serious.
"Lou didn't want to take a chance," Soto said. "I'm good. Nothing to worry about."
The first NL rookie catcher to start an All-Star game, Soto is batting .286 with 23 homers and 86 RBIs.
The Cubs have clinched home-field advantage for the NL playoffs.
