DH-ing isn’t an option for Giancarlo Stanton in the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays, and his chances for pinch-hitting are probably out too, according to the latest report. This comes after many fans were surprised to see him on the Wild Card roster, only for him to not play in the series against the Boston Red Sox. Talk about a gut punch for Yankees fans who were holding out hope for a big bat.
No DH, No Pinch-Hitting? What’s Going On With Stanton?
The reality for Stanton is pretty stark as the ALDS looms. Randy Miller laid it all out: Ben Rice is expected to fill the designated hitter spot, completely closing that door for Stanton. And that dream of him coming off the bench for a big pinch-hit moment? Miller reports that’s probably off the table too. It leaves you wondering what the point of putting him on the Wild Card roster even was, besides some false hope. The source says it was because the Yankees only carried ten pitchers for the Wild Card series. That’s a wild card in itself, isn’t it?
The Roster Crunch That Could Sideline Stanton (and Maybe Judge)
The big shift comes down to how the Yankees are planning their pitching staff for the ALDS. Last year, they rolled with eleven pitchers for their ALDS matchup against the Blue Jays, and it looks like they’re leaning that way again. If they bring an extra arm, someone has to go, and that someone is “likely” to be Giancarlo Stanton, sending him to the taxi squad. While Stanton’s status is a huge question mark, the report notes that Aaron Judge’s return is “certainly the bigger problem,” and this roster decision could “possibly delay Judge’s return for at least one more round.” So, it’s not just about Stanton’s inability to contribute; it’s a domino effect that could impact their other slugger. There was “some hope that he was healthy enough to get a pinch-hit at-bat” for the Wild Card, but now it’s clear his offensive contributions are highly uncertain.
So, if you’re a Yankees fan, you’re looking at a roster crunch that could keep both Giancarlo Stanton and possibly even Aaron Judge sidelined for a critical ALDS series against the Rays. That’s a rough start to the postseason, and you gotta wonder how they’ll handle that Rays pitching without those big bats.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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