The New York Yankees are one step closer to getting Giancarlo Stanton back in the lineup.
The team announced on June 10 that the injured superstar is ready to start the next step in his rehab from a variety of injuries.
“Today, DH/OF Giancarlo Stanton commences a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset,” the team announced.
Stanton is still looking toward his 2025 debut, which could now be within sight.
Giancarlo Stanton’s Return to the Bronx Within Sight
While Stanton can spend up to 20 days on his rehab assignment, the Yankees can choose to activate him anytime during that window, CBS Sports reporter Mike Axisa noted. Stanton has already ramped up to face high-velocity pitching and has been taking live at-bats against minor leaguers at the team’s spring training facility in Florida, Axisa added.
Stanton said this week that he feels good and getting back into his routine.
“Ready to rock. Been a long time coming, so it’s good to get rolling,” Stanton said Tuesday when asked how he’s feeling. “… Just get a little routine going (at the spring training complex). Face some arms. Hit a lot of bases. Just get a little routine.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone had already hinted at the next step for Stanton, saying earlier this week that the slugger was ready to start rehab.
“He’s in Tampa still, I think he’s coming back tomorrow or Monday and hopefully starting rehab next week up here, but he’s doing well”
“He’s in Tampa still, I think he’s coming back tomorrow or Monday and hopefully starting rehab next week up here, but he’s doing well,” Boone said.
Boone told reporters on Tuesday that Stanton was ready to get started, with the team deciding by the end of the week whether he would stay in Double-A longer or make the trek back to the Bronx.
“He’s playing tonight. Probably play tomorrow. And then we’ll see about Thursday, if he plays again or what we want to do through the weekend,” Boone said.
“Just kind of taking these two-day increments,” the Yankees manager added.
Yankees Leaned on Stanton Last Season
Stanton was a big part of the team’s run to the World Series last season. Though he had decent production during the season — hitting .233 with 27 home runs and 72 RBIs — he shined in the playoffs with seven homers in 14 games. Stanton earned MVP of the AL Championship Series.
Boone said Stanton needed to get his body back into shape after suffering a series of injuries, noting that he was getting close to a return.
“For him, it’s just getting his body built up and him being in a position to where he knows he’s had enough at-bats and enough reps to be game-ready, to be season-ready,” Boone said. “And he’s had a pretty big ramp-up. He’s had a lot of at-bats already, even going into his rehab start tonight. So, just making sure he’s had the necessary reps and feels really good.”
The Yankees have gotten MVP-caliber play out of Aaron Judge so far this season, helping keep the team in first place in the AL East and among the World Series contenders. Stanton’s return could give the team a bigger boost and allow the Yankees to take some pressure off Judge and keep him healthy for the long stretch.
Yankees Announcement Brings Good News for Giancarlo Stanton