The New York Yankees entered spring training looking good after a strong offseason but their depth is already being tested. Giancarlo Stanton, their star DH, is sidelined with tennis elbow and starting pitcher Luis Gil is out with a high-grade lat strain. While injuries are nothing new for Stanton, his absence is a big blow to the Yankees’ lineup. Here’s how the Yankees can’t let Stanton’s injury derail their season.
Stanton’s Injury: The Usual Suspect
Didn’t take long for the Yankees to hit a snag. With Opening Day just over three weeks away, Stanton is out with tennis elbow in both arms. This is the sixth consecutive season he’ll spend time on the IL, the usual pattern since he joined the Yankees in 2018. While his injuries are no surprise, they’re still a big problem for a team that lost its second-best hitter from last year’s ALCS winning lineup.
Why Stanton’s Absence Hurts
- Power Void: Stanton is the active leader with 429 career home runs, 24 shy of passing Carl Yastrzemski for 40th all-time. His absence is a huge hole in the lineup, especially against lefties.
- Postseason Hero: After hitting 7 HRs in the 2023 postseason, Stanton proved he’s still one of the scariest hitters when healthy. He was a key to the Yankees’ success.
- Milestone Chase: Beyond his immediate impact, Stanton’s pursuit of 500 career home runs adds to the historical relevance of his contributions. Missing time delays what could be a Hall of Fame milestone.
“He’s definitely frustrated,” said Aaron Judge, who has been in touch with Stanton. “But we all want him back.”
How the Yankees Can Live Without Stanton?
Stanton’s injury is a bummer, but the Yankees have options to minimize the damage. Here’s how they can not let this setback derail the season:
1. Go Through In-House Options
Manager Aaron Boone said the Yankees will use in-house candidates to fill the DH role. Players like:
- Dominic Smith: A lefty bat with pop.
- Ben Rice: A first baseman/catcher with minor league experience.
- Everson Pereira: A young outfielder with upside.
- J.C. Escarra: A utility player who can play multiple roles.
None of these guys are Stanton, but rotating them can keep the lineup balanced until he’s back.
2. Give Aaron Judge DH At-Bats
To preserve Judge’s health and maximize his impact, the Yankees can DH him occasionally. This would allow:
- Trent Grisham: The 4th outfielder to get more playing time.
- Other Guys in Camp: Younger or bench players to get some big league experience.
3. Explore External Options (If Necessary)
While external options are limited this late in spring training, the Yankees reached out to veteran free agent J.D. Martinez . Martinez struggled last year but knows the AL East and could be a short-term solution if Stanton’s out longer than expected.
Silver Linings Amid the Setback
There are some positives to take away from this:
- Timing: Stanton’s injury happened before the season so we won’t derail the playoff push.
- New Guys Stepping Up: Guys like Cody Bellinger , Paul Goldschmidt , and Jazz Chisholm are going to have to carry more weight. Top prospect Jasson Dominguez could be the difference maker.
- Experimentation: This allows us to try out different lineups and figure out our roster.
“We’ve got to find a way to stay afloat,” Boone said. “Obviously, [Stanton] is a big piece for us but we trust our depth.”