Strange Man Starts Rehabilitation Race Journey in 2A New York Yankees Awaits the Return of "Big G".

This is the first time Giancarlo Stanton has returned to competition since the 2024 World Series.

The Yankee heavy gunner, who did not participate in spring training, was placed on the injury list on March 26 for lateral epicondylitis of both elbows (retroactive to March 24) and was subsequently transferred to the 60-day injury list on May 1. But two months later, Stanton started his rehab game on Tuesday with the 2A Somerset Patriots as the second designated batter. He hit two of his three hits and one free run in his debut, and his two first-run bases combined for three RBIs.

"Only a first-run hit? He'll find his form, don't worry," Aaron Judge joked after today's 10-2 Yankees win over the Royals. Judge hit a 469-foot home run at Kaufman Stadium that landed on top of the Kansas Royal Hall of Fame building in the left field.

Stanton's elbow problem has plagued him for the 2024 season and has affected offseason preparation, but he has been training at the Yankees Player Development Base for the past few weeks in preparation for the recovery mission.

"The key for Stanton is to get used to it and make sure he has enough shots and practice to be game-ready, season-ready," said coach Aaron Boone ahead of today's Yankees game against Kansas. ”

The Yankees plan to keep Stanton playing in 2A tomorrow, but the schedule after that has yet to be determined. Boone said Stanton's return to the major leagues will be decided by both the team and the 35-year-old designated hitter.

“…… We'll see if we keep him playing the day after tomorrow or how the weekend is arranged," Boone said, "and we're going to work on a two-day basis now." ”

When asked if Stanton could return for Saturday's game when the Yankees make their first trip to Fenway Park in 2025, Boone was noncommittal.

"I'm not sure," Boone said, "I haven't thought about that step yet." ”

Stanton's return will add firepower to an already heavy artillery line. As of today's game, the Yankees lead the major leagues in home runs (105), on-base percentage (0.344), batting average (0.466), OPS (0.810) and guaranteed runs (262).

And that's without Stanton, who played in 114 games last season with a batting average of 0.233 but hit 27 home runs to the next level in the playoffs. The five-time All-Star hit seven home runs in 14 games in the 2024 playoffs with an OPS of 1.048 to help the Yankees win the American League and be named the American League Championship Series MVP.

"I can't wait, everyone in this room can't wait to see him back," Judge said, "...... He's a big part of the team, not just on the pitch but also in the dressing room. He's a leader and mentor to a lot of players, especially young players, so it's going to be great for him to come back. ”

In Stanton's absence, Ben Rice excelled at his assigned batting position, hitting 12 home runs and putting up 0.913 OPS as DH. However, his form has cooled recently, with just 0.206/0.247/0.368 in his last 20 games as of Tuesday.

The Yankees also plan to have Marcus Stroman pitch in the 2A rehab tomorrow, his first time pitching in an official game since April 11. He threw 40 pitches in practice pitching at the actual bullpen at Yankee Stadium last week, and New York plans to gradually resume him as a starting pitcher.

But similar to Stroman, the Yankees won't be in a hurry to get Stanton back.

"What I value most is that Stanton knows himself very well, that he knows how much practice he needs, how much he needs to do it, how to strengthen his body to get to the desired state of movement," Boone said, "and he's very good at assessing his condition and usually doesn't rush back in a hurry, even when there's a cry from the outside world that we need him." Of course, we always need him, but he knows what his body needs to be at its best. ”