Any lingering dreams that the New York Yankees had about Giancarlo Stanton returning in time to provide his annual postseason power stroke are effectively over.
Aaron Boone revealed on Saturday that Stanton, who was already working his way back from two right calf strains, suffered another calf issue during his recovery program. Incredibly, this latest setback involves his left calf, which is not what landed him on the injured list in April.
Although Boone has a history of optimism bordering on naïveté and false positivity, even he acknowledged that Stanton’s 2026 season might be over.
“He’ll obviously continue to work to try and get it right and hopefully be available, but obviously, we’re at a point in the calendar where it gets challenging,” Boone said. “You also never know. Obviously bummed for him. Been working his tail off every single day here, trying to get this thing right.”
Stanton had not spoken with reporters as of Saturday afternoon.
What’s next for the New York Yankees after Giancarlo Stanton’s latest injury?
Stanton opened the season hitting .256 with three home runs, 14 RBIs, and a .724 OPS in nearly 100 plate appearances. But as has been the case through much of his Yankees tenure, he landed on the injured list because of muscle and lower-body problems. It’s incredible to think that Stanton is in his ninth season with the Yankees but has only surpassed 120 games twice in that span.
Those looking for a silver lining can, at least temporarily, rest easy knowing that All-Star center fielder Cody Bellinger is expected to return to the lineup on Sunday. The Yankees are also hopeful that Aaron Judge will return within the coming weeks; the three-time AL MVP hasn’t played since May because of a rib injury. Third baseman Ryan McMahon landed on the injured list with a left thumb sprain and should return by Labor Day at the latest.
Other than those three, there aren’t many potential offensive reinforcements coming. The days of Sept. 1 marking an expanded 40-man roster are long gone, so the Yankees likely won’t find their modern Shane Spencer. (And if you’re too young to remember Shane Spencer, then that’s another reason for us to feel old.)
Veteran utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera is an early favorite to rejoin the Yankees when rosters expand. The 27-year-old went hitless in his 11 MLB plate appearances earlier this year, though his versatility works in his favor, especially compared to embattled shortstop Anthony Volpe.
Assuming that Judge doesn’t have any setbacks, the Yankees’ potential playoff lineup could look like this:
Batting order spot | Player |
|---|---|
1. | Trent Grisham, CF |
2. | Aaron Judge, RF |
3. | Ben Rice, DH |
4. | Cody Bellinger, LF |
5. | Luis García Jr., 1B |
6. | Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B |
7 | George Lombard Jr., SS |
8. | Ryan McMahon, 3B |
9. | Austin Wells, C |
Stanton has 18 home runs and a .926 OPS in 48 career playoff games, and his absence would certainly be felt. There’s never been a greater time for Judge to finally leave his postseason woes behind him and carry the Yankees to an elusive 28th championship.
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