The New York Yankees were without designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton for the first 70 games of the 2025 season. The slugger’s epicondylitis (tennis elbow) in both elbows bothered him during last year’s postseason run to the World Series, and worsened over time, leading up to spring training.
Stanton, who returned Monday night against the Los Angeles Angels, went 2-for-4 with a single and a double in the Yankees’ 1-0 11-inning loss. He hit his double in the ninth inning at 102.9 mph, a great sign for him and Yankees fans.
The 2017 National League Most Valuable Player with the Miami Marlins should be a valuable piece of the Yankees’ lineup for the remainder of the season, if he and the training staff can monitor the health and strength of his elbows.
Stanton Speaks on First Game Since 2024 World Series
Stanton’s season debut on Monday was his first game since game five of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He led the New York Yankees to their first American League pennant since 2009, winning ALCS MVP honors along the way.
Now that the 35-year-old has made his return, Stanton wants to be sure his timing and ability to hit high velocity pitching are up to par.
“It’s great to be back,” Stanton told ESPN’s Jorge Castillo after Monday’s loss. “Obviously, want to win, but it’s good to be back out there. I saw the ball pretty well besides one at-bat. So we’re just working on that, making sure my timing’s geared up and get rolling.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone told Castillo that he does not expect Stanton to play every day, hoping to keep him healthy for the later months of the regular season and the postseason.
“I would think that things might come up from time to time and that could play into different things on a given day if you feel like it’s best to give him a day,” Boone told Castillo. “But I think he’s built some good momentum here over the last couple of months with it. The strength in his hands and things like that has returned in a good way, so certainly something we’ll pay attention to, but feel like we’re in a pretty good spot.”
Stanton’s Return Complicates Playing Time
The New York Yankees have scored just four runs during their four-game losing streak, but still have one of the best lineups in the league, led by players like Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt.
At this stage of his career, Stanton is not an option in the outfield, indicating he will strictly serve as the Yankees’ designated hitter. As New York’s roster stands, Boone must make tough decisions regarding who to start and which players to leave on the bench. Ben Rice served as the Yankees’ DH for a greater portion of the season.
“Whatever is best for us to win, that’s important,” Stanton told Castillo. “And the guys that are going to be starting are going to come in huge pinch-hit spots. So, in that opportunity, it’s usually a chance to win a game anyway, so, yeah, we’ll work with it.”
Boone stated last week that Rice may receive starts at catcher to keep his potent bat in the lineup.
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