Giancarlo Stanton Returns to Yankees Lineup—But Aaron Judge’s Future Still Hanging in the Balance

TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees are inching closer to full strength as Giancarlo Stanton is set to rejoin the lineup after a brief absence caused by what the team vaguely termed “general soreness,” manager Aaron Boone revealed on WFAN. Stanton’s return will see him patrolling right field in at least one game against the Rays, though Aaron Judge remains sidelined from any outfield duty for the time being.

There’s still a cloud of uncertainty around Judge’s comeback, no firm date set for him to test his right elbow with some long toss exercises as of now. Boone’s cautious approach speaks volumes: “I don’t have a clear answer yet,” he admitted. “We’re waiting for the green light from the trainers. He’s supposed to give long toss another go today — I’m not expecting it here in Tampa. Might be Boston? Possibly. But it’s up in the air.”

The skipper also tempered expectations on Judge’s throwing capabilities this season — a somber note for fans who hoped for a swift recovery. “I’m not sure we’ll ever see him sling the ball like usual this year. And that’s alright. The priority’s on him staying healthy and protecting himself out there.”

Coming off a dominating sweep over the Cardinals, the Yankees hold a comfortable three-game cushion in the AL wild-card chase. Offensively, they’re banking on Judge’s bat to keep humming, even if his defensive contributions remain limited. Since coming off the injured list in early August, Judge’s role has been confined to designated hitter, where he’s been nothing short of a force — boasting a .333 batting average, 39 homers, and 91 RBIs, with a stellar 1.134 OPS. His latest homer marked his first extra-base hit since the return.

Unfortunately, Judge’s absence from the field hampers the team’s lineup flexibility. Stanton, hitting just under .300 with a respectable 12 homers and 34 RBIs, carries his own injury baggage. Plagued by elbow tendinitis that delayed his debut until mid-June, he’s already missed three games recently due to soreness that remains undefined. The Yankees are left walking a tightrope, balancing risks while hoping both sluggers can endure down the stretch.

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TAMPA, Fla. — Giancarlo Stanton is returning to the New York Yankees’ lineup after missing three games with what the team described as general soreness, manager Aaron Boone told radio station WFAN.

Stanton will play right field in one of the two games against the Tampa Bay Rays, but Aaron Judge is not expected to appear in the outfield in either.

There is no set timetable for Judge’s return to the field. He was scheduled to test his right elbow with long toss.

“I don’t know yet,” Boone said. “What I’ve said is I’m waiting on the trainers to say, ‘thumbs up.’ He’s expected to long toss again today, so I don’t expect it here in Tampa. Could it be Boston? Maybe. I just don’t know yet.”

Boone added that Judge may not regain full throwing strength this season.

“I don’t think we’re going to see him throwing like he normally does at any point this year, but that’s OK,” Boone said. “We’ve got to feel like he can go out there and protect himself.”

The Yankees are coming off a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals and hold a three-game lead for the final American League wild-card spot. Offensively, they will be satisfied if Judge simply can remain productive at the plate. Since being activated from the injured list on Aug. 5, Judge has been limited to designated hitter duties. He entered the week batting .333 with 39 home runs, 91 RBIs and a 1.134 OPS, all among the league leaders. His latest home run was his first extra-base hit since returning.

Judge’s inability to play the field has reduced the team’s flexibility. Stanton is batting .299 with 12 home runs, 34 RBIs and a .953 OPS this season, but his long injury history makes any outfield assignment a risk. He did not debut until mid-June because of tendinitis in both elbows. After playing three straight games in the outfield, he missed three consecutive games with soreness. He has declined to specify where the discomfort occurred.