TAMPA, Fla. — Giancarlo Stanton, the standout slugger for the New York Yankees, has not taken a swing in the past three to four weeks and is uncertain about his readiness for the opening game due to troublesome tendinitis affecting both of his elbows.
During a media briefing on Monday, prior to the team’s first full-squad practice, the five-time All-Star opened up about enduring considerable pain throughout much of the previous season as he played a key role in guiding the Yankees to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
“The pain was quite significant overall,” Stanton noted. “Tennis elbow, as it’s often referred to, involves tears in the tendon. It’s not about when it felt good or bad; it’s a constant presence of pain you must manage. Therefore, it’s the most sensible decision to allow time for recovery at this point.”
Stanton refrained from making predictions about the feasibility of participating in the American League champion’s opener against Milwaukee on March 27.
“I’m definitely behind schedule, but it’s just about pacing myself to be fully prepared, not just for today but for the future. We still have five to six weeks, and that should provide ample time to ramp up training properly,” he commented. “We’ll evaluate how things unfold from here.”
Having turned 35 in November, Stanton acknowledged that he experienced pain throughout much of the last season, with issues in each elbow developing in two-month intervals. His treatment regimen includes forearm strengthening, tissue therapy, and specific exercises.
“It’s absolutely not just soreness; it’s something manageable,” he asserted. “That’s how navigating last season and this season will play out.”
At present, he does not believe that surgery is necessary, although he indicated that surgical intervention could become essential if a tendon were to tear due to excessive strain.
In the previous season, Stanton recorded a batting average of .233 with 27 home runs and 72 RBIs over 114 games, which included a stint on the injured list due to a strained left hamstring that kept him out from June 22 until July 29. He performed better in the postseason, hitting .273 with seven homers and 16 RBIs.
Yankees captain Aaron Judge praised Stanton’s dedication, highlighting his efforts to prepare for games despite the challenges. “I witnessed the dedication he showed pregame on the field, followed by his hard work in the training room to ensure he was ready to compete. That’s what sets him apart as one of the greatest players in the game. He may be a bit banged up now, but he will be back soon,” Judge said.
In a further blow to the Yankees, they lost Juan Soto, who signed a historic 15-year contract worth $765 million with the New York Mets.
With a focus on easing workouts, both Stanton and the Yankees aim to ensure that he remains as healthy as possible throughout the season.
“The goal is to avoid unnecessary downtime,” he explained. “This is a crucial period during a shorter offseason to take advantage of that.”
