Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton exited yesterday’s game against the Astros in the sixth inning with right calf tightness. Manager Aaron Boone downplayed the seriousness of this issue, telling Chandler Rome of The Athletic it was “too early” for him to be concerned. “Hopefully we got ahead of anything serious, but we’ll just see where he’s at tomorrow,” said Boone. Stanton is on the bench for today’s game, and no injury list move is pending as of now.
The 36-year-old missed the first half of last season with injuries to both his elbows. Dating back to the 2021 season, he has missed roughly one third of his team’s games, mostly due to lower body injuries. Even so, he remains a crucial part of the lineup. In last year’s half-season, Stanton hit 24 home runs and posted a .321 isolated slugging percentage, his highest mark since coming to New York in 2018. He is not quite at that level so far in 2026, though the team would obviously prefer him healthy and in the lineup. If he eventually misses time this year, that could result in DH at bats for role players like Paul Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario, neither of whom is an inspiring option in a larger role.
A few more injury notes out of the AL East:
- On the pitching side in New York, left-hander Carlos Rodón made his first rehab start yesterday for the Yankees’ High-A affiliate. According to Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru of MLB.com, the club anticipates he’ll need three rehab starts before rejoining the rotation. Assuming he stays on track, that could put him in line to start at the end of the May 8-10 series against the Brewers, or possibly against Baltimore from May 11-13. New York’s rotation has been exceptional to start the year, posting league-best marks in ERA (2.61) and K-BB rate (19.7%). Luis Gil has been the only weak spot, so he’s the likeliest candidate for a demotion when Rodón makes his return.
- Injured Red Sox starter Sonny Gray is traveling with the team and set to throw a bullpen session on Monday, per manager Alex Cora (link via Chris Cotillo of MassLive). That implies the right-hander, who was placed on the 15-day IL on Monday, will not require a rehab assignment and could return with a minimal absence. That would be welcome news for Boston, as their rotation has struggled to a 4.61 ERA through their first 26 games. Gray isn’t off to a great start himself, but he was a capable mid-rotation arm from 2023-25, so the club is unbothered by the results in a small sample size. His eventual return may spell a demotion for Payton Tolle, who struck out 11 hitters in six innings in his season debut on Thursday.
- Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton has a Grade 2 left ankle sprain and is out of game action for 4-6 weeks, according to Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times. Melton, who was acquired in a three-team trade in December, currently ranks as the club’s third-best prospect according to MLB.com. He is likely to see time in the Majors this year. The starting outfielders – Chandler Simpson, Jake Fraley, and Cedric Mullins – all have plus range or arm strength, but they are also below-average hitters. Melton’s scouting report mentions room for improvement on his hit tool, though he flashed plus power at Triple-A in 2024-25 and is a solid defender.
Photo courtesy of Maria Lysaker, Imagn Images
Amed Rosario is doing pretty solid this season. He’s above average right now for sure. Not saying he is better than stanton, but he is better than most tend to believe
Sonny Gray has had 11 injuries since 2020. Let’s hope this is the only one this year.
Very convenient his latest injury came before having to pitch against the Yanks
McClanahan dusted the Twins, Crochet had a strong start for Boston. Two big developments in the AL East.
took 3 whole weeks for stanton to get hurt. about 2 weeks more than i expected.
time for jasson or spencer?
Might be a long term positive to have one of them prove themselves in Stanton’s absence. Why Grichuk is also taking up a spot that could be Jones or Dominguez’ is also confusing me.
Grichuk & grisham both taking up roster space
Jasson,spenc should def be up
Tolle better not go down. Send Bello to the bullpen
bass – Bello has options, he may be better served staying stretched out in AAA. Especially with Gray’s injury history.
This is misleading. Simpson is on track for 4.2 WAR, Mullins has lost playing time to Jonny Deluca, and Fraley is in a nice little platoon with Ryan Vilade, so Rays OF was not exactly clamoring for Jacob Melton, who was hitting poorly in AAA.
would they actually send tolle down? what else does he have to prove?
dasit – Last year his first start was very good, then he crapped the bed for the rest of the season. He has to prove he can make adjustments, he will probably get at least two more starts to do so.
Tolle has secondary pitches now so hopefully he’s here to stay
Manager Aaron Boone downplayed the seriousness of this issue.
hayzee – Rem Dawg used to call him Booner.
Bello needs to go to AAA when Grey returns if he no longer has options then the bullpen til he gets his stuff right. Last night was an embarrassment and even the Orioles stadium crew was making fun of him declaring they were out of Home Run fire works
Rsox – Bello has options.