The Yankees finally put star slugger Giancarlo Stanton back into game action today, as he was in the lineup for the club’s High-A affiliate. That starts a 21-day rehab period. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge has begun playing catch, as Brendan Kuty of NJ.com was among those to cover.
Stanton has been sidelined since the first of April, when he was placed on the injured list with a biceps strain. It emerged recently that the the 29-year-old had also suffered a shoulder injury during the course of his rehab work.
In action tonight, Stanton launched a long ball and went down twice on strikes in three trips to the plate. That sort of showing is a familiar one for Yankees fans, who watched Stanton blast 38 home runs and strike out 211 times in 705 plate appearances last season.
Unfortunately, Stanton won’t come anywhere close to topping that career-high number of trips to the dish. He had been fully healthy in 2017 and 2018, but before that missed time with injuries in several campaigns.
The Yankees have cobbled together an all-time replacement roster, reeling off wins despite injuries to their three best outfielders and an array of other players. Aaron Hicks is back already, with Stanton now on the clock to do the same.
It’s less clear when Judge will finally be ready. He has yet to begin swinging the bat. While it’s encouraging that he feels good enough to pick up the ball, the very significance of that development is a reflection of the seriousness of his oblique strain.
With fill-in players now on the roster, those returning from the injured list will create some crunches. We already discussed the infield situation earlier this evening. Cameron Maybin and Clint Frazier have taken on unexpectedly significant roles, but could be pushed out of the lineup (and perhaps off the roster) when Stanton is ready. The veteran Maybin would need to be dropped from the 40-man if he becomes the odd man out; Frazier could be optioned. DH Kendrys Morales could certainly also be at risk, though the switch-hitter is one of only three active Yankees who swing from the left side.
Nobody cares except spankee fans.
Or those who clink links….and maybe event comment.
This seems legitimate.
Back to under your bridge troll!
and everyone who plays them and gets their butts handed to them. They got a minor league team on the field and still have one of the best resords in baseball and in first. Typical yankee jealousy
I might suggest Red Sox and Rays’ fans pay attention…..
To what? Stanton opting in to his contract at the end of the season?
End of the 2020 season*
This has got to be a failed troll attempt.
Get off the Yankees articles with your lame hate thebighurt619
Too much weight lifting! Frank
Howard never pulled anything!
Go Senators!
He was a beast! Started with the Dodgers.
Known as “The Gentle Giant”
Him and Gil Hodges were probably my two favorite big men from that era, and they both were teammates at one point. Hodges was a class act, died too soon.
Him and Gil Hodges are two my two favorite former Dodgers from that era. Hodges was also a big guy who was a class act. Died way too soon.
Didn’t mean to post that twice but i did somehow.
Yawn
The Yankees are doing well and they’re going to get two All Stars inserted into the lineup. That should strike the fear into many fans of the American League East, including my Red Sox.
But the Sox have finally overcome their failed spring training experiment of not playing regulars until the season starts (in a way.)
How do you let your starters only pitch twice in spring training? Crazy.
But they seem to be on the right track now. Should be a great summer in New York and Boston rivalry.
Does Stanton own a ranch?
He sold it to Cespedes.
I heard Cepedes can opt out of the deal after this season.
Silly morons over at Yesnetwork about sending Frazier down to AAA. How about throw Gardner in the garbage and let Frazier play every day.
270 vs 190 give me a break