With Aaron Decide solely anticipated to DH when he first returns from a proper flexor pressure, Giancarlo Stanton will mud off his glove.
Stanton has not performed protection since 2023, however he’ll get some work within the outfield with Decide hitting the IL on Sunday. The Yankees’ hope is that Decide will solely be gone for 10 days earlier than they’ll reinsert his bat into the lineup, however he will likely be shut down from throwing for 10-14 days, as flexor strains could be a precursor to ulnar collateral ligament accidents if not handled correctly. From there Decide will ramp up his throwing program earlier than returning to the outfield.
Within the meantime, Stanton’s job is to knock off any defensive rust he has in order that he could make himself a viable outfield choice as soon as Decide comes off the IL. After speaking to Aaron Boone, Stanton mentioned he’s prepared for no matter helps the Yankees win.
“I believe that’s going to be for me to be in the outfield,” the slugger continued Saturday. “I’ll be working out there this coming week and be ready when needed.”
Stanton, 35, primarily performed proper discipline for the Marlins from 2010-2017, however he has spent the overwhelming majority of his Yankees profession as a DH on account of a slew of lower-body accidents which have compelled the previous MVP to be overly cautious.
Now Stanton additionally has lingering tennis elbow accidents that require constant upkeep. Nevertheless, Boone isn’t frightened about defensive work making Stanton’s elbows worse.
“If there’s things that come up, then we’ll adjust,” the supervisor mentioned. “But I’m not anticipating that.”
If Stanton does return to the outfield in a sport, it could presumably be in proper at Yankee Stadium, as that’s the least spacious spot within the Bronx.
He mentioned that he’s missed enjoying protection and that it is going to be “good to be back out there.” He added that he did some defensive drills and threw throughout his elbow rehab.
“It’s not going to be like I’ve never been out there before,” Stanton mentioned.
On Saturday, Decide made it identified that he needed to keep away from the IL and begin DH’ing straight away. Nevertheless, Boone mentioned Decide “understands that [going on the IL] is the best thing for him and for us right now.”
Boone was requested if Decide can DH proper now with out hurting himself extra, and if he’s not as a result of Stanton isn’t prepared for the sector but.
“So there’s the feeling that if he just DH’d now that he probably would not compromise his UCL,” Boone mentioned. “Obviously, throwing would. That said, there is a gripping [the bat] component to it and it’s probably — obviously not like the defensive side — somewhat affecting him offensively too. And then there’s the G component too. So I think when you add it all up, this makes the most sense to give this time to calm down a little bit, hopefully heal, and then hopefully put us in a better position long-term.”
In a follow-up, Boone was requested if the Yankees can be higher off with Decide’s bat proper now contemplating the struggling workforce is six video games again of the Blue Jays within the American League East.
“[Swinging] wouldn’t hurt it, but I would say [Judge is] somewhat marginally compromised,” Boone replied. “So what does that lead to? Does it lead to diminished performance? Does it lead to a bad habit, something like that? So that’s part of the equation too.”
Initially Printed: July 27, 2025 at 1:21 PM EDT
