One day after clinching a playoff spot, the New York Yankees got the shock of their lives on Thursday when star forward Juan Soto banged his left knee while sliding into the short wall in foul territory on a dramatic catch.

Soto slid into the wall in foul territory along the right-field line in the seventh inning of a 3-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners. After a lengthy visit from Yankees manager Aaron Boone, athletic trainers and seemingly all of his teammates, Soto remained in the game, shaking his left leg.

“I was really worried,” Soto said. “I fell right on the concrete and when I threw the ball, all I felt was a lot of pain in my kneecap. Definitely, over time, (the pain) started to go away and I felt better. Definitely, it was a little scary at the time.”

Boone said Soto “banged his knee up pretty bad” and that he will get X-rays “just to make sure.”

Initially the ball was considered a foul, but after repeated attempts the ball was declared a catch.

“I think the way he slid served him well,” Boone said. “My biggest fear was that he would twist something, and I think by sliding like that he was spared a little bit.

“…It seems like he’s doing fine now.”

The 26-year-old Soto, a four-time All-Star and former batting champion whose free agency after this season is expected to spark a bidding war with a starting contract of $500 million, is hitting .286 this season with 40 home runs, 120 runs scored and 103 RBIs.

The loss cuts the Yankees’ lead in the American League East to four games over the Baltimore Orioles.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.