When the Yankees Could Have Giancarlo Stanton Back

Stanton has not appeared in a game for the Yankees since April 24, when he strained his left calf while running the bases. He was placed on the injured list days later.

Boone's reasoning for Stanton potentially not needing a rehab assignment is due to the fact that the 36-year-old has continued to hit and will, without question, return to DH duties when he's ultimately activated off the IL.

Prior to going down with his calf injury, Stanton was slashing .256/.302/.422 with three home runs, 14 RBI and an OPS of .724 in 24 games.

New York has not only had to reshuffle the DH spot in their lineup since Stanton's injury, but has also dealt with other injuries to their lineup. Outfielder Jasson Domínguez was placed on the injured list with a shoulder injury after crashing hard into the wall in left field during the Yankees' game against the Texas Rangers on May 7.

The Yankees, though, did seem to dodge a bullet with another one of their outfielders after Trent Grisham departed the Bronx Bombers' game against the Toronto Blue Jays this week with an apparent knee injury. Grisham's MRI, however, came back clean and is in the lineup tonight for the Yankees, batting leadoff against the Tampa Bay Rays.

And with this latest injury news surrounding Stanton, the Yankees have to be encouraged to potentially get his much-needed bat back in the lineup soon. New York begins Friday 4.5 games out of first place behind the aforementioned Rays in the AL East, and will hope to cut into that deficit over the weekend.