New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated that Giancarlo Stanton might be ready to return soon after the All-Star break, potentially without needing a minor league rehab assignment, as reported by Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
Giancarlo Stanton was placed on the injured list on June 23 after suffering a hamstring injury and exiting the Yankees’ 8-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on June 22. Since his injury, the Yankees’ offense has struggled significantly, as Stanton was having a strong season and was a key contributor behind Aaron Judge and Juan Soto in the lineup.
With Judge and Soto often being walked due to their positions in the lineup, Stanton had numerous opportunities to drive in runs before his injury, contributing to the Yankees’ impressive offensive performance earlier in the season.
So far this season, Stanton has appeared in 69 games, batting .246 with a .302 on-base percentage, .795 OPS, and 18 home runs, according to FanGraphs. His 124 wRC+ indicates he’s been 24 percent above league average in hitting. Although he hasn’t reached his peak form, Stanton was having a bounce-back season after making offseason adjustments and losing weight.
Stanton’s advanced metrics are strong, with his expected slugging percentage, average exit velocity, bat speed, barrel rate, and hard-hit rate all in the 95th percentile, and his xwOBA in the 84th percentile, suggesting his performance is sustainable.
If Stanton returns without a rehab assignment, he might need some time to readjust to major league pitching, potentially affecting his early performance. The best-case scenario is that his hamstring issues don’t persist and he quickly returns to his pre-injury form.
Yankees’ Strategy for the Trade Deadline
The Yankees have been struggling recently, particularly due to underwhelming performances from their starting rotation, including Luis Gil and Carlos Rodon. Given the current state of the rotation, it’s unlikely that Brian Cashman will prioritize adding another starting pitcher. Instead, the focus may shift to addressing weaknesses in the infield and bullpen.
Key infielders like DJ LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres, and Anthony Rizzo (before his injury) have not performed up to expectations. Ben Rice has stepped up in Rizzo’s absence and could potentially become the team’s permanent first baseman. The Yankees are likely to seek an addition who can cover either second or third base, with a preference for someone versatile enough to handle both positions.
In the bullpen, the team is in need of a left-handed reliever or two, as well as pitchers who can provide a strong strikeout rate. While the return of Giancarlo Stanton and Clarke Schmidt should offer some relief, additional reinforcements are essential for the Yankees as they approach the trade deadline.
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