Giancarlo Stanton was given the green light to return to the Yankees’ lineup on Monday night and make his 2025 season debut against the Los Angeles Angels after missing the team’s first 70 games with tendonitis in both elbows.
Stanton participated in three minor league rehab games in his ramp-up. The 35-year-old went 3-for-11 with one double, four RBI, and one walk in those appearances. He will now move forward as the Yankees’ No. 1 option at DH moving forward.
Stanton has rarely played in the field the past few seasons amid an abundance of injuries during his time in New York. He played in 159 and 139 games in 2018 and 2021, respectively, but has missed significant time in every other year in the Bronx. Still, the 2017 National League MVP played a key role in New York’s American League pennant push last year with a .273 batting average and team-high seven home runs in the postseason, garnering ALCS MVP honors in the process.
Stanton played in 114 regular-season games last season — his most since 2021 — and hit .233 with 27 home runs and 72 RBIs. His on-base percentage finished below .300 for the third straight campaign.
But Stanton is returning as the Yankees have hit their largest slump of the season. New York had been held to three runs or fewer in four straight games for the first time since early 2024 and were swept for the first time this season by the Boston Red Sox.
Aaron Judge struck out in nine of 12 at-bats in the series. Stanton, whose 429 career home runs lead all active players, will likely hit shortly after Judge. The threat of his power should alleviate pressure on Judge.
Ben Rice went just 1-for-11 in the series but has put together a strong second-year campaign. Rice has started at DH the most for New York this season and is expected to play more at both first base and catcher with Stanton’s return.
The Yankees rank in the top three in the majors in home runs, slugging percentage, and runs, even without arguably the top power hitter of the past decade. But amid their recent woes, Stanton’s return feels especially crucial.
