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Yankees’ Aaron Boone Announces Giancarlo Stanton News After Loss to Guardians
Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The New York Yankees (37-23) have played well without slugger Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) so far, as they're 5.5 games ahead atop the AL East heading into Thursday's matchup with the Cleveland Guardians (33-27). However, the 35-year-old could give them the extra push they need to secure the AL's top seed.

Stanton mashed 27 homers and notched 72 RBI in 114 regular-season games last year before slashing .273/.339/.709 with seven homers and 16 RBI in 14 playoff contests. The designated hitter has 18 homers and 40 RBI in 41 career postseason games, all with New York. 

Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided an update about Stanton's rehab on Thursday, via The Athletic's Chris Kirschner.

"Aaron Boone said Giancarlo Stanton could possibly begin a rehab assignment next week," he reported.

Stanton hasn't played 140 games in a season since 2021 and hasn't hit 30-plus homers in a season since 2022.

The Miami Marlins, then called the Florida Marlins, selected Stanton No. 76 overall in the 2007 MLB Draft. The five-time All-Star got called up in June 2010 and hit 30-plus homers in three of his next four seasons. He also won the NL MVP award in 2017 after slashing .281/.376/.631 with 59 homers and 132 RBI in 159 games.

The Marlins then dealt Stanton to the Yankees in December 2017 for infielder Starlin Castro, two minor leaguers, and cash considerations. He won the 2024 ALCS MVP award, helping New York beat the Guardians in five games.

Left-handed pitcher Max Fried (7-1, 1.92 ERA) will start for the Yankees on Thursday night.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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