New York Yankees power hitter Giancarlo Stanton may make a return for the playoffs after being sidelined for five and a half months due to calf injuries. On Wednesday, Stanton, alongside center fielder Trent Grisham—who has been out since straining his right hamstring on September 4—faced pitchers at Double-A Somerset. Both players ran the bases, and Stanton hit a home run in his six or seven at-bats during the session.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone, fighting a cold, hinted at the possibility but remained cautious, suggesting they are only “putting them on the outskirts of the conversation.” The Yankees, already missing star Aaron Judge with a strained right calf, are expected to host Boston for a best-of-three Wild Card Series starting Tuesday, with all games at Yankee Stadium.
With the minor league season completed, some Yankees prospects have been working out at Somerset in New Jersey. Stanton has not appeared in a game since April 24 due to calf strains in both legs. Before his injury, he had started the season with a .256 batting average, 3 home runs, and 14 RBIs over 24 games. The 36-year-old former National League MVP, who smashed 38 home runs and collected 100 RBIs in his rookie season with New York in 2018, has missed nearly 42% of games since joining the Yankees, totaling 500 absences out of 1,194 as of this season’s end.
His injury history is extensive, including strains in his right biceps, right knee, left hamstring (three separate instances), left quadriceps, both calf muscles, right ankle inflammation, left Achilles tendinitis, and tendon pain in both elbows. Boone mentioned, “You’re looking more at a pinch-hit scenario. We’ll see if that’s even a realistic option.”
Stanton is owed $25 million next year, which is the final guaranteed year of his $325 million, 13-year contract; this contract also contains a $10 million buyout for a 2028 club option.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
Fan Take: Stanton’s potential return is huge news for baseball fans, as his presence could dramatically influence the Yankees’ playoff performance despite his lengthy injury struggles. Seeing a star player like him fight back against adversity adds an inspiring and unpredictable element to the sport’s postseason excitement.
Source: www.foxsports.com
