ST. PETERSBURG — When the Yankees return from the All-Star break, their designated hitter may not be far behind.
Aaron Boone said that Giancarlo Stanton could be ready for game action shortly after the Midsummer Classic. It remains to be seen if Stanton will have to play in minor league games before rejoining the Yankees.
“I think when we come out of the break, we’ll probably be in a position to where he’s at that point,” Boone said Wednesday before the Yankees played the Rays. “And then whether we do rehab games or not remains to be seen, but I do feel like we’ll be getting real close.”
Boone added that Stanton, recovering from a left hamstring strain, has done some running already.
Stanton, who has a long history of lower-body injuries, went on the 10-day injured list on June 23. While the Yankees’ ongoing stretch of poor play began before that, the team has certainly missed the slugger.
Stanton was enjoying a bounce-back season, hitting .246/.302/.492 with 18 homers and 45 RBI.
It’s notable that he may skip a rehab assignment. Last year, the 34-year-old suffered another left hamstring strain and didn’t play in the majors between April 15 and June 2. Stanton had a one-game rehab assignment and spent the rest of the season struggling.
“We’ll consider all that,” Boone said. “Some of the tools we have at our disposal now change the game a little bit [as far as] how guys are able to get ready and see things, so we’ll try and make the best decision for everyone.”
Once such tool is a high-tech Trajekt pitching machine. The Yankees also don’t need Stanton to play the field, making no rehab games or a short rehab stint more realistic for the designated hitter than other players.
SOTO’S HAND
Juan Soto appeared to be in some pain following a swinging strikeout in the third inning of Tuesday’s loss to the Rays. Soto stayed in the game, but the cut looked uncomfortable.
This Juan Soto swing & miss sure didn’t look good. Soto remains in the game. pic.twitter.com/4qh1fRnjhT
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) July 9, 2024
Boone attributed that to Soto recently bruising his right hand on an evasive slide in Toronto.
“Every now and then he’ll take a swing where it bothers him a little bit,” Boone said Wednesday, but the manager noted that Soto is doing well with the issue.
Boone added that Soto is still getting treatment on his hand and his forearm after experiencing inflammation in the latter a few weeks back.
LINEUP CHANGE
With the Yankees scuffling and Ben Rice scorching hot, Boone moved the rookie from the leadoff spot to the four-hole on Wednesday. Alex Verdugo, meanwhile, moved to the first spot from the cleanup spot.
“Just shaking it up a little bit,” Boone said, adding that Rice’s recent at-bats make him a good presence behind Aaron Judge right now.
Rice hit three homers on Saturday and another in Tuesday’s loss.
