The Yankees have activated outfielder Giancarlo Stanton from the injured list, per a club announcement. He’ll take the active roster spot of fellow outfielder Mike Tauchman, who was optioned down last night.
Stanton has been sidelined for nearly the entire season. While his activation today was expected, he had previously come close to a return only to run into more problems. What started as an IL stint for a biceps issue ballooned in duration as a shoulder strain and calf problem cropped up along the way.
It certainly has been an interesting rehab stint for the 29-year-old Stanton. That shows up also in his game action of late. In 21 minor-league plate appearances, he has launched five long balls and struck out ten times without drawing a walk — that after opening the year with seven free passes in 15 MLB plate appearances.
The Yanks will hope that Stanton can smooth out any remaining wrinkles and settle back into being a substantially above-average hitter. He wasn’t in top form last year, his first in the Bronx, but still produced a strong .266/.343/.509 batting line with 38 home runs.
Stanton was lined up opposite fellow outfield slugger Aaron Judge in his recent rehab appearances. Once the two are reunited in the majors, they’ll join an imposing group of right-handed power bats that also features Gary Sanchez, Luke Voit, Gleyber Torres, and the recently acquired Edwin Encarnacion.