NEW YORK – In a positive development for the New York Yankees, Giancarlo Stanton was spotted running the bases on Tuesday afternoon, marking a significant step in his recovery process. Stanton, who has been sidelined since April 25 due to two separate strained left calf injuries, is inching closer to a return to the Yankees lineup.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism about Stanton's progress, stating, “When that time comes, obviously, it’ll be very good to get him back.” The team is eager to reintegrate the powerful slugger into their roster as they push through the latter part of the season.
Stanton's absence has been felt, and Boone noted that the outfielder has accumulated several good days in his recovery. However, the timeline for Stanton’s return remains uncertain. Boone mentioned that there is “at least a chance” Stanton may need to undertake a minor league rehabilitation stint before he can rejoin the Yankees. “When they (the medical staff) say we’re ready to do something, then we go,” Boone added, highlighting the cautious approach the team is taking with Stanton's health.
In addition to Stanton’s progress, the Yankees are also monitoring the recovery of outfielder Cody Bellinger, who has been out of action since July 26 due to a strained left hamstring. Boone reported that Bellinger is “running really well,” reaching approximately “90 percent of his normal top speed.” This improvement suggests that Bellinger could be on the shorter side of a projected four-to-six week recovery timeline.
Despite his progress, Bellinger has experienced some tightness during workouts, indicating that he still has hurdles to overcome. Boone stated, “It’s about getting through that last wave,” expressing hope that Bellinger can navigate this phase as the intensity of his training ramps up. “I don’t think he’s far off,” Boone concluded, providing a glimmer of hope for fans eager to see Bellinger back on the field.
Meanwhile, left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon is also working his way back from elbow inflammation. He is scheduled to make at least one more minor league rehab start on Thursday at Class AA Somerset. Rodon previously threw 48 pitches in his last outing and could potentially rejoin the Yankees' rotation by next week, although he may be limited in pitch count upon his return.
The situation is more complicated for Yankees captain Aaron Judge, who is recovering from a right rib fracture. Judge remains further away from a return, but both he and the team have maintained that he will be back before the regular season concludes.
Additionally, right-hander Luis Gil has begun a minor league rehab assignment, pitching one scoreless inning at Class A Hudson Valley. Gil last appeared for the Yankees on April 26 before being optioned to Triple-A, where he developed shoulder inflammation. Boone acknowledged that Gil could be a bullpen option for the Yankees moving forward, potentially adding depth to their pitching staff in the coming weeks.
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