Yankees Star Slugger Giancarlo Stanton Begins Rehab Assignment

Giancarlo Stanton Ready to Begin Rehab Assignment

A Long, Unsteady Return

When the Yankees announced in February that there was no timetable for Stanton’s injury, it appeared that last year’s ALCS MVP could be out for most, if not the entirety, of the 2025 season. But, after long stretches of no news and very vague updates concerning Stanton’s progress, it appears that he will be back in New York’s lineup in no time.

On the other hand, what Stanton will do once he does return to the Bronx is not as certain. Though 2024 was a bit of a career renaissance for the 35-year-old being that it was his best season since 2021, concerns still exist regarding his abilities. From 2022-23, his batting average was .202 while racking up 261 strikeouts. In all fairness, he has hit at least 24 homers in every season since 2020, but in a Yankee lineup that is already overflowing with hot hitters, Stanton may have to once again prove that he still warrants the DH spot on a nightly basis.

One Spot Too Many

When Stanton does return, it unfortunately means that Ben Rice, who has DH’ed in 39 of the Yankees’ 64 games thus far, will have no starting position . With Paul Goldschmidt at first base, the Yanks could platoon the two hitters, but the team still needs Rice’s .825 OPS in the lineup as much as possible. This is a good problem to have, of course, but it would be a great problem for the team if Stanton continues to go on the tear that he went on to boost the Yanks to the Fall Classic last October.