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TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees power hitter Giancarlo Stanton faces uncertainty about his participation in the opening day game due to ongoing chronic tendinitis affecting both of his elbows.
The five-time All-Star, who is now 35 years old, grappled with this condition throughout the previous season and into the postseason, where he managed to hit seven homers as the Yankees progressed to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
When asked about the potential impact of Stanton’s elbow issues on his availability for the season opener against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 27, manager Aaron Boone stated, “It’s tough to say.”
“I’m not going to set any timeline on it. We’ll be cautious and attentive to the situation,” Boone elaborated on Sunday. “I expect that he will be fine; it’s just about determining when we should begin ramping things up to ensure he can contribute as much as possible.”
In related news, outfielder Trent Grisham, who recently sustained a left hamstring pull during training, is reportedly recovering and running at near full speed.
“He should be back in action shortly,” Boone noted.
These updates came as position players reported for the first full-squad workout scheduled for Monday.
“Giancarlo is lagging a bit behind due to the elbow problems he faced last year; it’s similar to tennis elbow in both arms,” Boone explained. “In a fully active situation, we would be pushing through, but we want to ensure he gets the necessary time to heal, positioning ourselves strongly throughout the season.”
Stanton has not played an entire season without a stint on the injured list since 2018. Following the trade of Juan Soto, who inked a remarkable 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets, the Yankees are looking to Stanton’s bat to provide vital support to captain Aaron Judge in the lineup.
Boone indicated that Stanton’s elbow issues may be a nagging concern throughout the season.
“Managing this is about utilizing available treatments effectively,” Boone remarked. “Some discomfort is to be expected, but the goal is to maintain it as best as possible and take advantage of his off days.”
Stanton, who signed a then-groundbreaking 13-year, $325 million contract with the Miami Marlins ahead of the 2015 season, notably hit 59 home runs and drove in 132 RBIs in 2017, earning him the NL MVP award. He joined the Yankees in December of that year and boasted 38 homers and 100 RBIs during his inaugural season.
Over the subsequent five years, Stanton missed 266 of 708 games due to various injuries, including strains in his right biceps, right knee, and multiple occurrences of left hamstring and left quadriceps strains, in addition to right ankle inflammation and left Achilles tendinitis.
Last February, he showed up at spring training in significantly better shape, hitting 27 homers with 72 RBIs while playing in 114 games; however, he was sidelined due to a strained left hamstring from late June to late July.
“A lot of people overlook how effective his regular season was, as he was vital in helping us lead the league in runs scored,” Boone remarked.
Stanton posted a batting average of .273 with 16 RBIs in the postseason last year. He has strictly served as a designated hitter since last September 9, without playing in the field.
“He is crucial to our lineup,” Boone asserted. “Losing a major right-handed hitter could leave us at a disadvantage.”
In another injury update, bench coach Brad Ausmus suffered a serious hamstring pull while playing pickup basketball on Saturday, as mentioned by Boone.
Boone recalled his own experience from January 2004 when he tore his left ACL during a similar pickup game, resulting in missing the entire season and prompting the Yankees to acquire Alex Rodriguez from Texas.
“Of course, I advise against such activities, but he insisted on showcasing his 55-year-old prowess,” Boone joked.
When questioned if he had played on the opposing team, Boone laughed and replied, “Absolutely not.”
Ausmus previously managed the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Angels.
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