The New York Yankees are currently on top of the American League East. The team could become even more dangerous this summer, as Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave a positive update regarding slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
Aaron Boone Says Giancarlo Stanton is Almost Ready to Start a Rehab Assignment
While speaking to the media, Boone announced that Stanton is getting closer to his return after starting the season on the injured list due to tendinitis in both elbows. Boone said Stanton would likely do a rehab assignment, though MLB insider Andy Martino notes there’s a slight chance Stanton could skip it and return straight to Yankee Stadium.
Stanton was spectacular in the postseason last season while Aaron Judge struggled. He hit seven home runs and drove in 16 RBIs as the Yankees won the American League pennant. It was a minor resurgence after a down 2023 season that questioned his long-term outlook with the team.
Giancarlo Stanton puts the @Yankees back ahead! #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/1VafdMvnk8
— MLB (@MLB) October 31, 2024
Stanton still has two years left after this season on the 13-year, $325 million contract he signed with the Miami Marlins that the Yankees took over when they acquired him in 2018. The team acquired Stanton after he won the National League Most Valuable Player Award during his last season in Miami. He hit 59 home runs, drove in 132, and had a 1.007 OPS for the Marlins.
However, his time in New York has been mixed. There have been highs, such as Stanton’s multiple 30-home run seasons with the team. There was the postseason run in 2020, when Stanton found his MVP form again with a 1.426 OPS in seven games. Stanton was also named MVP of the 2022 All-Star Game.
However, he’s also missed time over the years due to various injuries, including a left biceps strain, knee tendinitis, a hamstring strain, and a quad strain. The injuries have caused Stanton to decline athletically, as he’s now one of the slowest guys in the major leagues. A once solid outfielder, Stanton is almost exclusively a designated hitter now.
Sick slider from George Soriano to Giancarlo Stanton. Two strikeouts for him to limit damage in the 3rd.#Marlins pic.twitter.com/73C1q76IU0
— Fish on the Farm (@marlinsminors) August 11, 2023
Then there have been extended slumps at the plate. During his MVP year in Miami, Stanton crushed left-handed pitching, slugging .764 against them. In his first season in New York, when he drove in 100 runs, he slugged .645 against left-handed hitters with a 1.036 OPS. However, he declined against them in the following years, bottoming out in 2022, when he only hit .184 against southpaws, with a slugging percentage of .379.
Despite the ups and downs, Stanton still hits the baseball harder than just about everyone in the sport. This summer, his return to the lineup will be a welcome addition as the Yankees look for others to step up as opposing teams pitch around Judge.