Giancarlo Stanton faced pitchers this week at Double-A Somerset, taking six or seven at-bats and even cranking a homer. This is a massive development for the Yankees, who are likely heading into a best-of-three Wild Card Series against Boston starting Tuesday, with all games at Yankee Stadium. Stanton hasn’t seen game action since April 24, after being sidelined for 5 1/2 months due to strained calf muscles in both legs, so seeing him take a hack and go deep is a genuine shocker, even if it’s just a rehab outing.
A Wild Card Glimmer Or Just Wishful Thinking?
New York manager Aaron Boone, battling a cold and sounding raspy, didn’t exactly throw a party over the news. He called putting Stanton and fellow injured center fielder Trent Grisham, who also ran the bases Wednesday after straining his right hamstring on September 4, “on the outskirts of the conversation” for a return. Grisham and Stanton were working out with minor leaguers at Somerset after the farm teams wrapped their seasons. With star Aaron Judge already out because of a strained right calf, you have to wonder if Boone is just playing mind games or being brutally honest about what to expect. Given Stanton’s long layoff, the manager tempered expectations even further, saying, “You’re looking more at a pinch-hit scenario. We’ll see if that’s even a realistic option.” That’s a huge shift from what any fan would hope for, but after nearly half a season out, a pinch-hit appearance might be all the slugger can offer.
The Long Road Back And A Mountain of Injuries
Stanton’s 2026 season started with a .256 batting average, three homers, and 14 RBIs in 24 games before those calf strains put him on the shelf. The 36-year-old former NL MVP has had a brutal injury run since his phenomenal 2018 season, where he blasted 38 homers and drove in 100 RBIs in his first year with New York. Since then, he’s missed a staggering 500 of 1,194 games, a painful 41.9 percent. We’re talking strains of his right biceps, right knee, left hamstring three times, left quadriceps, both calf muscles, right ankle inflammation, left Achilles tendinitis, and tendon pain in both elbows. It’s a miracle the guy can even walk to the plate, let alone hit a homer in a rehab game. He’s also owed a cool $25 million next year in the final guaranteed season of his massive $325 million, 13-year contract, which includes a $10 million buyout option for 2028. You know the front office is watching this situation closely.
The Yankees kick off their likely Wild Card Series at home against Boston on Tuesday. Whether Stanton’s surprising pop at Somerset actually translates to any meaningful contribution in that crucial series remains a huge question mark. But hey, it’s something to talk about, right?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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