Less than three months ago, it appeared that New York Yankees fans had resigned themselves to the possibility of not seeing Giancarlo Stanton play this season. However, Stanton is determined to prove the doubters wrong as he approaches the milestone of 500 home runs.
Stanton, who has been sidelined since February due to tennis elbow in both arms, recently took live at-bats at Yankee Stadium prior to the Yankees’ 12-3 victory over the San Diego Padres. In his appearance, the five-time All-Star notably grounded out and also drew a walk against rehabbing reliever Jake Cousins.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone has not dismissed the possibility of Stanton coming off the 60-day injured list later this month, although he did mention uncertainty surrounding Stanton’s rehab assignment. Boone noted that Stanton’s situation might differ from other players since there isn’t a pressing need for him to participate in field activities at this stage.
As Stanton readies for his return, it raises questions about how the Yankees will integrate him back into the lineup, especially with the strong performance of second-year slugger Ben Rice. Currently, Rice has been hitting .264 with eight home runs and a .935 OPS, filling the designated hitter role effectively.
Stanton has a history of frequent injuries during his time with the Yankees, having played over 120 games just once since 2019 and missing significant time in recent years due to hamstring issues. Despite battling tennis elbow last fall, he managed to earn ALCS MVP honors, hitting seven home runs in just 14 playoff games.
As he approaches 36 years of age in November, Stanton has amassed 429 home runs since his debut in 2010. If he can maintain his health upon returning, he stands a chance to join the exclusive club of players who have hit at least 450 home runs, further solidifying his legacy in the league.
This situation highlights both the challenges and the potential for resurgence as Stanton seeks to make a significant impact in the latter part of the season. With his return on the horizon, Yankees fans have a reason for optimism as the team continues to perform well.