New Injury Complicates Stanton's Return
Giancarlo Stanton's bid to return to the New York Yankees this season has hit another obstacle. The 36-year-old designated hitter strained his left calf while running the bases earlier this week, according to manager Aaron Boone. The injury comes as Stanton was rehabbing from a strained right calf that had sidelined him since late April.
Boone told reporters before Saturday's game against the Blue Jays that Stanton fell down on the bases and strained the other calf. He described the injury as a "moderate grade" and said the team is "not ruling anything out" regarding a return this season, though he acknowledged that the calendar makes it "challenging."
"What that means moving forward, we're not ruling anything out," Boone said. "He'll obviously continue to work to try and get it right and hopefully be available but obviously we're at a point in the calendar where it gets challenging."
The manager expressed sympathy for Stanton, who has been working diligently to get back on the field. "Been working his tail off every single day here trying to get this right," Boone said. "I think you all know how bad he wants to be on that field and contributing to a championship. So obviously that's disappointing but hopefully we just continue to work and get him healthy."
A Season Plagued by Calf Issues
Stanton has not played since April 24, when he tweaked his right calf running between second and third base during the Yankees' 12-4 win at Houston. He missed three games before being placed on the 10-day injured list April 28.
The recovery has been marked by setbacks. In mid-June, Stanton felt soreness in his right calf while running bases. On July 9, general manager Brian Cashman revealed that Stanton had actually suffered a new injury in a similar location. Stanton resumed running bases two weeks ago and took at-bats against Carlos Rodón on Aug. 3 while the left-hander was rehabbing from an elbow injury.
"Obviously it's been a tough road where he kind of reinjured a different part of the calf muscle halfway through here and now this," Boone said. "So tough news. You feel for G because I know how bad he wants to be in there for us."
Stanton's Career and Recent Track Record
The injury adds to a long history of physical setbacks for Stanton, who has not played a full season since 2018. Over the past five seasons, he has missed 266 of 708 games due to various strains. In 2024, he missed 28 games with a left hamstring strain but still hit 27 home runs and drove in 72 runs, adding seven postseason homers in 14 games. Last season, he missed the first 70 games with elbow tendinitis and hit .273 with 24 homers and 66 RBIs upon returning.
In the limited action this season, Stanton batted .256 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 24 games. He has 456 career home runs, which ranks 40th on baseball's all-time list, six behind Adam Dunn and Jose Canseco. Stanton is a five-time All-Star and the 2017 National League MVP.
Impact on the Yankees
Stanton's absence comes at a time when the Yankees' offense has struggled. According to reports, the offense has been one of the worst in baseball since Aaron Judge left the lineup with an injury in early June. The Yankees entered Saturday three games back of the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East.
Stanton, in his ninth year with the Yankees, is earning $29 million this season, with $25 million due in 2027 and a $10 million buyout of a $25 million club option for 2028. During spring training, Stanton spoke about his time with the Yankees as incomplete, reflecting his desire to contribute to a championship. Boone has echoed that sentiment, noting Stanton's determination to be with the team in its pursuit of a title.
As Stanton continues to work through yet another setback, the Yankees and their fans are left to wait and see whether the slugger can overcome the latest obstacle in what has become a challenging season.