Yankees manager, GM give encouraging update on Giancarlo Stanton

Yankees manager Aaron Boone was asked about Stanton's progress before his team took on the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Sunday.

"I feel like G's been doing well now for a while, so getting him built up will be just the next key," Boone said. "I think live at-bats are on the horizon here, and we'll see where we go from there."

Boone said he was unsure "exactly how it was going to unfold" when it came to a potential rehab assignment for Stanton, who is in his eighth season in the Yankees organization.

"We'll figure out what's best," Boone said of any rehab assignment. "I just want to make sure that you know he's kind of game ready when he comes. Obviously that looks a little bit different for him in that he's not playing the field. But you still want to get him built up properly, and give him somewhat of like a spring training simulation, even though, again, his looks different than most guys."

Last season, Stanton slashed .233/.298/.475 with 27 homers and 72 RBI in 417 at-bats, all coming from the DH position. He also missed more than a month with a left hamstring strain.

Entering what will be his 16th MLB season, Stanton has averaged 42 homers and 108 RBI per 162 games during his illustrious career, split between the Yankees and the Florida/Miami Marlins.

With his veteran status, Stanton could refuse a rehab assignment to the minor leagues when he feels he is ready to return to the New York lineup.

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.