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Yankees’ Aaron Boone Changes Stance on Giancarlo Stanton Decision Before Astros Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dan Fappiano | Last updated Sep 2, 2025 11:50 AM ET

The New York Yankees open up a crucial three-game series with the Houston Astros on Tuesday. It'll be a battle between two franchises looking to claim their spot in the postseason. To begin the series, Yankees manager Aaron Boone is throwing a bit of a curveball.

New York sensation Aaron Judge has continued his dominant run at the plate. He is hitting .324 with 43 home runs and 97 RBI. However, Judge has been unable to play the outfield due to a flexor strain in his elbow. The two-time MVP is working his way back, but the Yankees still don't know officially when he will play defensively again.

In Judge's absence, Boone is getting creative with his outfield alignment. On Tuesday, Stanton will play left field for the first time since 2023, via Talkin' Yanks.

Giancarlo Stanton will play left field in Houston tonight, per Aaron Boone. Stanton hasn't played left field since September 14, 2023 in Boston

Boone added that Aaron Judge is "getting close" to playing the field, but they don't have a set date for that yet pic.twitter.com/vt2ls5eZru
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) September 2, 2025

Aaron Boone changes Yankees' path

It wasn't long ago that Boone was completely against the idea of Stanton playing left field. Saturday in fact. He was adamant that the former MVP wouldn't change positions against the Astros, via Greg Joyce of the New York Post.

"But one thing he will not do, at least not in the upcoming series as the Yankees visit the Astros, is move over to left field," Joyce wrote.

"The last time Stanton played the field in Houston — Game 3 of the 2022 ALCS — he started in left field, where the Crawford Boxes jut out and make for a smaller area to cover," he continued.

"But Boone said on Saturday he did not have any plans on flipping Stanton to left field in Houston, in part because it does not have a big right field," Joyce concluded.

The Yankees manager has quickly gone back on that decision as he tries to find the perfect fit. When Judge does make his return to the field, Stanton won't be asked to play left field often, if ever. But at least for now, Boone wants to see if the veteran can handle the position change if necessary.

At the very least, New York is trying to find ways to get Stanton's bat in the lineup. He is hitting .295 with 17 home runs and 46 RBI. Hitting in the middle of the lineup, the Yankees are counting on the slugger's bat heating up even further entering a potential playoff run.

But on Tuesday, all eyes will be on how Stanton does in the field. If he succeeds, and Judge is forced to remain at Designated Hitter longer than expected, perhaps it's an audition for more left field opportunities.

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

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