Preparation of New York Yankees' star player Giancarlo Stanton for his forthcoming outfield debut in about two years
Giancarlo Stanton, the power-hitting Yankee slugger, is set to make a long-awaited return to the outfield on Saturday, August 9, 2025. This will mark his first outfield appearance since September 14, 2023.
Stanton has been recovering from a flexor tendon strain in his right elbow and had missed the start of the season due to inflammation in the tendons of both elbows. However, with Aaron Judge's injury leaving room for Stanton to get outfield playing time, the Yankees are ready to risk Stanton's legs to include his bat in the lineup.
Judge has been serving as the designated hitter but will not be able to field due to a flexor strain. Stanton, on the other hand, has been doing pregame outfield work for over a week, including fielding ground balls, shagging fly balls, and handling balls sent into the right field corner. He has not brought up any issues with his elbow if it bothers him while throwing.
The Yankees' lineup adjustments will see Stanton returning to the outfield, allowing Aaron Judge, who was initially the designated hitter while recovering, to revert to the DH role. Manager Aaron Boone plans to manage Stanton's outfield playing time carefully, likely giving him a few days off per week to protect his health, considering past lower-body injuries and recent elbow issues.
Stanton has been productive offensively since returning on June 16, 2025, with a .268/.340/.528 slash line, 10 home runs, and 28 RBIs in 37 games. His return is considered a key move to keep Stanton's bat in the lineup while managing his health carefully after a long injury absence.
Stanton has not played more than 114 games in a season since 2019 due to lower body issues. Last year, he strained his left hamstring running the bases after being shielded from defensive work. However, during these drills, Stanton is not running at max speed, with each step intentional to minimize the risk of injury.
In summary, Stanton's return to the outfield on Saturday is a significant development for the Yankees. It allows for lineup adjustments, ensures Stanton's bat stays in the lineup while managing his health carefully, and shows Stanton's confidence in his readiness to contribute defensively.
Stanton's return to the outfield on Saturday will coincide with Aaron Judge shifting back to the designated hitter role, as both players recover from elbow injuries. Following his week of pregame outfield drills, including ground ball fielding, fly ball shagging, and right field corner handling, Stanton shows promise in the MLB's baseball outfield.
