Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton suffers new calf strain, putting return this season in doubt
New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton has suffered a new calf injury while rehabbing, leaving his return this season uncertain, according to manager Aaron Boone.
The New York Yankees have been dealt another blow to their lineup as slugger Giancarlo Stanton sustained a new calf injury this week, casting doubt on his ability to return this season. The 36-year-old was in the middle of a rehabilitation assignment for a strained right calf, with a hopeful return date of early September, when he fell while running the bases and strained his left calf.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone described the injury as a moderate grade, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation given the time of year. «It’s a moderate grade,» Boone said. «What that means moving forward, we’re not ruling anything out. 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, but you also never know.» Boone expressed sympathy for Stanton, noting the veteran’s dedication to returning to the field.
Stanton initially hurt his calf while running between second and third base during a 12-4 win over the Houston Astros on April 24. He was nearing a comeback in June when he suffered another strain on the same leg, though in a different spot. He had resumed running two weeks ago and had even taken at-bats against teammate Carlos Rodón, who was on the injured list with an elbow issue at the time.
«Obviously it’s been a tough road where he kind of reinjured a different part of the calf muscle halfway through here and now this. So tough news. You feel for G because I know how bad he wants to be in there for us, but at the same time it is what it is too and we got to just keep moving and try and hopefully get him right,» Boone added.
The Yankees’ offense has struggled since Aaron Judge left the lineup with an injury in early June, and Stanton was expected to provide power in the middle of the order. In 24 games this season, he has hit.256 with three home runs and 14 RBI.
Injuries have marked much of Stanton’s tenure in New York. He has not played a full season since his first year with the team in 2018. Over the next five seasons, he missed 266 of 708 games due to a series of ailments, including strains to his right biceps, right knee, left hamstring twice, and left quadriceps, along with right ankle inflammation and left Achilles tendinitis.
In 2024, Stanton missed 28 games with a strained left hamstring but still helped the Yankees reach their first World Series since 2009. He hit 27 home runs and drove in 72 runs in 114 games, adding seven postseason homers, including four in the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians. Last season, he missed the first 70 games with inflammation in the tendons of both elbows, then returned to hit.273 with 24 homers and 66 RBI in 77 games.
The Yankees entered Saturday three games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East and will now have to continue their push without their veteran slugger.
