The New York Yankees have managed to remain one of the better teams in Major League Baseball despite being without two of their biggest offensive stars for much of the season. Aaron Judge is still working his way back, but the Yankees received some encouraging news regarding Giancarlo Stanton on Tuesday.
After months away from game action, Stanton appears to be moving closer to a return, and it couldn’t be coming at a better time for the Yankees.
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Stanton Begins Running the BasesApr 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Yankees insider Chris Kirschner of The Athletic posted video on X showing Stanton running the bases, marking another important milestone in his rehabilitation.
Seeing Stanton participate in baseball activity beyond simply swinging a bat is a significant development. Running the bases requires more movement and explosiveness, making this another indication that the veteran slugger is progressing.
The timing couldn’t be better for New York. The Yankees’ offense has been among the worst in baseball since the beginning of July, and Stanton’s return would provide a much-needed boost.
More importantly, he would give the lineup another right-handed power bat—something the Yankees have desperately lacked since Judge landed on the injured list more than two months ago.
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Stanton Will Need Time to Ramp UpMar 31, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) stands on second base after hitting an RBI double against the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: John Froschauer-Imagn ImagesEven if Stanton is cleared to return to game action soon, don’t expect him to immediately step back into the Yankees’ lineup.
He hasn’t appeared in a game since April 24, when the Yankees faced the Astros. After such a lengthy layoff, Stanton will almost certainly need a rehab assignment and is likely to require at least 10 at-bats before returning to the majors.
New York may not have enough time to catch the Rays in the AL East, but there is still plenty to play for. The Yankees can create more separation between themselves and the Red Sox while strengthening their position for the first AL Wild Card spot, which would give them home-field advantage for the Wild Card series.
Getting healthy offensively could ultimately determine how far this team goes. Stanton’s return won’t solve every problem, but adding his power back into the lineup could be a massive boost at exactly the right time.
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