JUPITER, Fla. — Reigning NL batting champion Juan Soto left Washington’s 7-3 exhibition loss against the Miami Marlins in the middle of the first inning Thursday with what manager Dave Martinez said was a cramp in his right calf.
“I didn’t want to take any chances,” Martinez said.
The Nationals slugger drew an 11-pitch walk from Sixto Sánchez with one out in the top of the first.
Soto stayed in to run while the next two batters were retired.
He then was replaced in right field in the bottom half of the inning by Gerardo Parra.