Because the Pink Sox labored on sweeping the Yankees in Boston, Giancarlo Stanton spent his Sunday dealing with the Angels’ pitching employees at Yankee Stadium.
Properly, kind of.
The designated hitter noticed the Halos’ hurlers by the use of the Yankees’ high-tech Trajekt machine, which may replicate the actions and velocities of opposing pitchers whereas displaying video of their mechanics. And in order the Yankees hoped to have Stanton again from tennis elbow accidents for his or her sequence in opposition to the Angels, he started getting ready for LA’s arms.
SNY’s Andy Martino first reported Stanton’s return.
Stanton will now add firepower to the American League’s greatest offense, although the Yankees scored simply 4 runs over the weekend in Boston. He’s coming off three rehab video games with Double-A Somerset wherein he went 3-for-11 with one double, 4 RBI, one stroll and three strikeouts. He had not performed in some other video games since October, as his elbows pressured him to overlook all of spring coaching and the primary few months of the common season.
Those self same elbows bothered Stanton for a lot of final season, however that didn’t cease him from terrorizing pitchers in October. He slashed .273/.339/.709 with seven homers and 16 RBI within the playoffs, and his 4 longballs within the ALCS earned him MVP honors for the sequence.
Previous to that, Stanton loved a considerably resurgent common season, hitting .233/.298/.475 with 27 homers and 72 RBI as Aaron Choose and Juan Soto grew to become the 1-2 punch within the Yankees’ lineup.
With 429 profession house runs, Stanton leads all lively gamers, and his efficiency within the 2024 postseason might have cemented his Corridor of Fame case. Nonetheless, he had the worst yr of his profession in 2023, has an extended harm historical past — he additionally handled a calf situation in spring coaching — expects to play by ache in his elbows transferring ahead, and is now 35. On prime of that, he’s coming off an extended hiatus.
Not a fielder, Stanton’s return will throw a welcomed wrinkle into the Yankees’ lineup development.
Ben Rice has been the group’s major DH in Stanton’s absence. The hard-hitting 26-year-old was slashing .227/.311/.460 with 12 house runs and 26 RBI getting into Monday.
Rice has additionally frolicked at first base, however he’s a catcher by commerce. The Yankees have solely used him as a receiver late in blowout video games thus far in his huge league profession, however he’s impressed the group — notably director of catching Tanner Swanson — along with his every day work behind the scenes and restricted in-game reps.
Final week, Aaron Boone mentioned that Rice might get begins behind the plate as soon as Stanton joins the group.
With Austin Wells entrenched because the Yankees’ beginning catcher, J.C. Escarra has been the group’s backup catcher this season. If Rice exhibits that he can maintain his personal behind the plate, Escarra might grow to be a helpful commerce chip, as he’s an elite framer and has proven he can hit off the bench.
Stanton’s return might additionally impression Paul Goldschmidt at first, in addition to the Yankees’ outfielders. They’ve 4 who’re able to beginning, however there can be fewer DH days for Choose and Jasson Domínguez, the gamers who’ve crammed that position essentially the most behind Rice.
Initially Revealed: June 16, 2025 at 1:30 PM EDT
