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Giancarlo Stanton isn’t close. But there’s at least a loose return window now.
After weeks of vague optimism, Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave a more concrete update this week, telling NJ.com’s Bob Klapisch: “I don’t think one month (for full recovery), but probably inside of two months. G’s going to need a full ramp-up (in a rehab assignment), but he’s getting there.”
That would point to a mid-June return at best.
That is roughly two months after Stanton was diagnosed with tendinitis in both elbows and a minor calf issue in March. It also adds a bit more clarity to a recovery that’s been mostly described in vague, hopeful terms since spring training.
Stanton, 35, has been hitting off the high-velocity Trajekt machine and making slow progress behind the scenes. But according to Klapisch, he’s hitting with softballs instead of baseballs to limit stress on his elbows. The platelet-rich plasma treatments he received earlier this spring have helped. Still, the Yankees are moving slowly and carefully, especially after Stanton was forced to shut down entirely in January due to what he called “severe pain” while swinging.
The Yankees, meanwhile, have gotten by without him. Ben Rice has filled the DH spot.
Stanton has missed significant time since the Yankees acquired Stanton from the Miami Marlins. In 2019, Stanton played in just 18 regular-season games because of multiple injuries. He missed over half of the COVID–19–shortened 2020 season because of a hamstring strain. Stanton has dealt primarily with lower-body injuries like hamstring strains, quad strains and Achilles issues throughout his career, but he did require biceps tendon surgery in 2019.
Because of his injury history, Stanton has mostly been relegated to being a designated hitter. He has not played in the outfield since 2023.
In seven seasons with the Yankees, Stanton has hit 103 home runs and slashed .241/.323/.483 in 663 games. Last season in the postseason, Stanton hit seven homers in 14 games.
Stanton is entering the 11th year of the 13-year, $325 million deal he originally signed with the Marlins. He will be paid $32 million this season and $15 million the next two seasons. There is a club option for 2028.
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Rival Teams 'Upset' With Dodgers Due to Shohei Ohtani Rule
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Micah Parsons has savage response to Packers' loss to Browns
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Waking 'Dancing Bear' could be steal of Bills' 2025 draft haul
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