The New York Yankees have gotten terrible injury news on the week, losing pitcher Corey Kluber and first baseman Luke Voit to shoulder and oblique injuries, respectively, which will take at least a few weeks to heal in both cases.
However, not everything is bad for the Yankees. Slugger Giancarlo Stanton, currently nursing a left quad strain, has a very good chance of returning this week, which comes at a perfect time since the Yankees’ depth has suffered huge hits with Voit, Ryan LaMarre, and Aaron Hicks’ injuries.
The Yankees’ official site marked Friday (tomorrow) as Stanton’s expected return date. The Bombers will visit the Detroit Tigers that day, and they could potentially have their star designated hitter back for the first game of that series.
Stanton ran the bases and took batting practice swings on May 25 at Yankee Stadium. Manager Aaron Boone said that day that Friday was the goal, and so far, nothing has happened that suggests said deadline cannot be met.
The Yankees are eager to have him back
Stanton has a history of suffering leg injuries in his time with the Yankees, as he has had to endure knee, hamstring, calf, and quad ailments in the last couple of years, missing important games in the process.
He started this season on the Yankees’ active roster, but got hurt last week. The team hopes that he can put the injury behind him and picks things up where he left them before hitting the injured list.
In 144 plate appearances so far in the 2021 season, Stanton has produced with the Yankees. He is slashing .282/.347/.534 with six doubles and nine home runs. He also has 16 runs scored and 24 RBI.
The Yankees desperately need his powerful right-handed in the lineup. It would be ideal if he could play the outfield, and it has been discussed as recently as spring training, but it’s unlikely he gets starts there soon, at least not after the leg injury is further in the rearview mirror.