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Yankees Slugger Gives Good News on Frustrating Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Apr 2, 2025 10:47 AM ET

Despite a loss on Tuesday, the Yankees are off to a fast start at 3-1, and whether you're a torpedo fan or not, their bats are leading the way. Through four games, the Bombers have hit a jaw-dropping 18 home runs, scoring 41 runs. They're No. 5 in MLB with a .289 batting average, No. 2 with a .381 on-base percentage, and No. 1 (by .181) with a .719 slugging percentage.

The so-called torpedo bats have gotten much of the credit for the Yankees' big-swinging ways, but of special comfort to the team has been the way Ben Rice has handled himself at designated hitter. Rice is hitting .500 out of the gate, with two home runs in 10 at-bats.

Rice was one of the major question marks for the Yankees' offense coming into the season. While four games does not answer all those questions, the start is encouraging. Rice hit .171 in 50 games last year.

Rice's start is especially promising as regular DH Giancarlo Stanton fights to get back into the lineup after suffering debilitating elbow injuries that have forced him to the sideline. Stanton got platelet-rich plasma injections in March, amid fears that he might be out for the season.

But Stanton addressed reporters on Monday, and was encouraged by the progress he has made. He has been swinging again and is building up strength.

"I’ve got to catch up," Stanton said, having missed spring training with the injuries.

He had no timeline for his return, but did sound certain that he would, in fact, be back. “It depends on timing and how fast I feel comfortable in the box,’’ Stanton said.

He also added that he would not place blame for his elbow issues on the new torpedo bats, though he did reference bat "adjustments" when talking about his elbow injuries last month.

“You’re not going to get the story you’re looking for,” Stanton said via NJ.com. “So if that’s what you guys want, that ain’t gonna happen.”

Stanton has two years left, after this one, on the 13-year, $325 million contract he signed with the Marlins in 2014. The Yankees have a club option in 2028, when Stanton will be 38.

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

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