The following is not the news New York Yankees fans wanted to hear heading into the season. Giancarlo Stanton, one of their biggest power threats, is dealing with injuries in both elbows and there’s no clear timeline for his return.
As spring training rolls into its second week, Stanton is back in New York undergoing tests, and let’s just say the latest update is not exactly full of sunshine and rainbows.
No Timetable, No Baseball Activity—Not a Great Sign
According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the Yankees’ slugger is completely shut down from baseball activities, making it “very unlikely” he’ll be ready for Opening Day.
Heyman suggests Stanton could be out for weeks. And for a team that already took a gut punch by losing Juan Soto to the Mets this offseason, this is the last thing they needed.
Without Stanton in the lineup, the pressure on reigning MVP Aaron Judge just increased tenfold. The Yankees still have talent, but Stanton’s power—especially in a lineup with some serious question marks—is a huge piece of their offense.
We’re talking about a guy who, despite injuries, still smacked 27 home runs and drove in 72 runs last season. Let’s not forget his monstrous postseason performance.
He hit .273 with seven homers, 16 RBI, and a phenomenal 1.048 OPS in 62 plate appearances. When he’s healthy, he’s a game-changer.
Could the Yankees Look for Outside Help?
With Stanton sidelined indefinitely, the Yankees are scrambling for options. Heyman mentioned that the team has been in contact with six-time All-Star J.D. Martinez.
But without a concrete timetable for Stanton, it’s unclear how aggressive they’ll be in pursuing him. And that’s a big question. Do the Yankees roll the dice on a veteran bat just in case? Or do they hope Stanton’s recovery is quicker than expected?
Time Is Running Out Before Opening Day
With roughly a month to go until Opening Day, the Yankees’ offense just took a major hit.
And if there’s one thing history has taught us, it’s that Stanton’s injuries don’t tend to be minor setbacks.
Yankees fans better hope for some good news soon because things are looking rough in the Bronx right now.
