New York Yankees outfielders Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge are making positive strides towards their returns to the Bronx.
New York Yankees fans, rejoice. You may be getting one of your big bats back in the lineup next week. According to Brendan Kuty of nj.com, Giancarlo Stanton may return to the lineup as early as Tuesday.
The Bombers will be hosting the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in what will be the second of a three-game series that day.
The Yankees could activate Giancarlo Stanton as soon as Tuesday, Boone said.
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) June 13, 2019
Stanton has only played three games in 2019, as he’s dealt with a lingering shoulder injury. He’s played three rehab games for the Single-A club Tampa Tarpons, in which he’s hit four home runs.
Clint Frazier has been taking Stanton’s spot for much of the time in the outfield. So far this year, in right field specifically, Frazier has committed three errors in 27 starts. Frazier is batting .276 with 11 home runs and 33 RBIs.
Stanton posted a batting average of .266 with 38 home runs and 100 RBIs last year. The Yankees hope he can return to that form when he returns to the lineup. They’ll need him to battle off the Rays and Boston Red Sox.
New York is just half a game above Tampa Bay in the AL East standings.
The Yankees are close to getting their other main slugger back as well. Bombers manager Aaron Boone gave an update on Aaron Judge, via Kuty.
“Yeah, (Judge is) doing really well and we may just end up starting him there,” Boone said. “That will be a decision we make over the next few days. My point was, he’s potentially game-ready somewhere this weekend, and as these next few days unfold, we’ll see if he gets there.”
With Didi Gregorius already back in the lineup, the Yankees are close to getting the heart of their lineup back to full strength.
