The New York Yankees are getting closer to getting Giancarlo Stanton back. He started a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset and could make his return soon.
Boone noted that Stanton would play back-to-back days before the team reconvenes on Thursday. The Yankees start a series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Friday, and could potentially get Stanton back at that point. However, Stanton is unsure if that will be his return date.
"I don't know," Stanton told the New York Daily News after his rehab start on Tuesday.
Stanton went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBIs for the Somerset Patriots. Stanton also drew a walk. His exit velocities were very encouraging as well. He hit a 111.4 mph single into the left-center gap in the fifth inning.
The Yankees are currently leading the American League East by four games over the Toronto Blue Jays. The Tampa Bay Rays are just five games out of the lead. The Yankees lost their last series to the Red Sox, but could get their revenge this weekend at Fenway Park, and getting Stanton back would surely help.
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Stanton is one of the best home run hitters of this generation. He is the active leader in home runs with 429. Last season, he hit 27 home runs for the Yankees, but added seven more in the postseason. The Yankees are already the best home run-hitting team in baseball. Adding Stanton to that mix would make them even better.
Stanton has great numbers at Fenway Park in his career, so bringing him back this weekend could end up being a great move. He has a .312/.384/.532 slash line with seven home runs in 37 games. He has collected 16 extra-base hits and 24 RBIs as well. While there is no date for his return, Thursday could be the day the Yankees make a decision after Stanton has played in back-to-back games for the Double-A Somerset.
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