According to New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone, Giancarlo Stanton is expected to make a return shortly after the All-Star break, skipping a minor league rehab assignment, as reported by Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
Stanton landed on the injured list on June 23 following a hamstring injury sustained during the Yankees’ 8-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on June 22. Since his absence, the Yankees’ offensive performance has notably struggled. Stanton had been enjoying a resurgence in his season, providing a formidable presence in the lineup behind Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.
Batting .246 with a .302 on-base percentage and an OPS of .795 across 69 games this season, Stanton has amassed 18 home runs, demonstrating a 124 wRC+—indicating he’s been 24 percent above the league average in hitting effectiveness. Although not reaching his peak performance levels, Stanton’s adjustments and physical conditioning in the offseason contributed to his improved output.
Advanced metrics further underscore Stanton’s impact, placing him in the 95th percentile for expected slugging percentage, average exit velocity, bat speed, barrel rate, and hard-hit rate, as per Baseball Savant. His xwOBA, a predictive metric, stands in the 84th percentile, suggesting sustained performance capability upon his return.
Concerns linger over Stanton’s readjustment to Major League pitching after his absence, potentially leading to a rough adjustment period initially. However, the primary hope is that his recovery from the hamstring injury progresses smoothly without setbacks, allowing him to regain his form swiftly upon returning to the lineup.
The Yankees, amidst their struggles over the past month, face decisions leading up to the trade deadline. The team’s starting rotation, particularly involving Luis Gil and Carlos Rodon, has been a focal point of their recent challenges. Despite the rotation appearing settled, General Manager Brian Cashman may not prioritize acquiring starting pitchers, instead focusing on addressing infield and bullpen deficiencies.
The performances of DJ LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres, and Anthony Rizzo (before his injury) have fallen short of expectations. However, Ben Rice’s commendable performance in Rizzo’s absence has raised possibilities of him securing a permanent first baseman role. The Yankees are likely eyeing additions capable of playing second or third base, ideally offering versatility across both positions.
Bolstering the bullpen with left-handed options and high-strikeout pitchers remains another priority for New York. Stanton’s imminent return, coupled with Clarke Schmidt’s eventual comeback, is anticipated to provide substantial reinforcements. Nonetheless, additional acquisitions are deemed essential as the Yankees aim to fortify their roster heading into the second half of the season.
In summary, Giancarlo Stanton’s anticipated return following the All-Star break without a minor league rehab stint is a significant development for the Yankees. His absence has underscored his pivotal role in the lineup, and his successful reintegration will be pivotal in the team’s efforts to rebound from recent struggles and contend effectively in the competitive American League landscape.
