The Yankees are still waiting for Giancarlo Stanton to return to the diamond, but it doesn’t look like that’s happening any time soon. The organization just revealed there’s no official timetable for his minor-league assignment as he continues to work his way back from a calf strain. This isn’t just about the Yankees’ lineup, it’s a huge gut punch for everyone who drafted him in fantasy leagues.
The Battle-Tested Yankees Are Holding On, For Now
Stanton’s been sidelined since April 24, when he picked up that calf strain during a 12-4 win against the Houston Astros. We’re deep into the season now, and while Aaron Judge has been getting some positive injury updates, Stanton’s situation still looks rough. He hasn’t made it back to the field, and reports are saying the star outfielder is nowhere near a potential return. Even Yankees skipper Aaron Boone hasn’t given us a timestamp for his comeback.
Despite all these nagging injury concerns, the Yankees have managed to carve out an encouraging 58-44 record and currently sit as the No. 2 seed in the American League. They’re a battle-tested team, dealing with a ton of injuries to key guys through the first half of the schedule. Stanton himself had a promising start to the year in his 24 appearances, slashing .256/.302/.422 with 23 hits, 14 RBIs, eight runs, and three homers before getting hurt.
The Two-Time Silver Slugger Becomes a Fantasy Drop Candidate
Stanton’s continued absence isn’t just affecting the Yankees’ offense, which has seen its fair share of inconsistency at his spot. It’s also crushing fantasy baseball players who were counting on his production. He came into the season with an ADP inside the top-150 hitters, a former MVP and two-time Silver Slugger, so expectations were high. But now, without a defined timestamp for his return, he’s emerged as a major drop candidate throughout fantasy leagues.
According to roster data, Stanton is currently rostered in roughly just 20% of leagues. With the length of his absence, it’s hard to imagine him living up to the reliable output he’s managed over recent years. There’s minimal upside to retaining him in lineups right now, despite him beginning running sessions prior to last week’s All-Star break and potentially starting simulated appearances in the next several weeks. For now, diehard Stanton loyalists should keep an eye on his status, but for most, he’s a safe drop.
It’s a tough break, for the Yankees and for anyone who banked on Stanton’s bat this year. We’ll be watching to see if those simulated appearances actually lead to a return to the field, and whether he can somehow salvage his season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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