After a few days of consideration, Giancarlo Stanton finally returned to the outfield on Thursday against the Mariners.
Stanton, penciled into right, hasn’t played the outfield since April 12 or since coming back from a hamstring injury on June 2. His defensive workload has been a talking point throughout his Yankees career, but Aaron Boone is not sure how often he’ll use the slugger in the field.
“Hopefully, it remains in place throughout the year,” Boone said, adding that he’ll discuss it with Stanton. “It’s kind of something that we’ll tackle week by week and day by day.”
Stanton has said in the past that he believes playing the outfield helps his swing, and Boone has said that it’s good for the oft-injured player to stay active.
But with Stanton in the middle of a slump, Boone has also tried to get ahead of narratives should the former MVP start to hit now that he’s using his glove again.
“If he goes out and bangs tonight, I know you guys are gonna be writing, ‘Oh, he’s back in the field,’” Boone said, referring to reporters. “I don’t think it’s that simple. I think if he DH’ed every game the rest away, he’s gonna hit. So hopefully, you guys are writing that because he’s raking and playing the field tonight.
“I think there’s a little something to it. I feel like it helps him athletically. I feel like it helps him from an injury standpoint. I think probably slightly from an engagement standpoint, being more in the game and playing two parts of the game. But whether he plays a couple days a week in the outfield or DH’s the rest of the way, I’m confident he’s gonna get through it and start really hitting at some point.”
Stanton was slashing .196/.257/.423 with six home runs and 13 RBI entering Thursday’s game.
THE LATEST ON JUDGE
Boone said that Aaron Judge (right big toe) has been able to do more strength and balancing exercises, “things he wasn’t really able to do at all four or five days ago,” after receiving a second PRP shot last week.
Boone is hopeful that Judge will start throwing and doing some light hitting by the end of this week, though that’s not definitive.
“I do feel like he’s turned the corner with the last PRP shot,” Boone said. “Still going slowly, but I feel like real progress.”
HAMILTON FEELS READY
Ian Hamilton said he’ll make what he hopes is his last rehab appearance on Saturday in Somerset. The plan is for the breakout reliever to get four outs over two innings, per Boone.
Hamilton then hopes to join the Yankees on their upcoming road trip.
“That’s certainly in play,” Boone said.
Hamilton, meanwhile, said that his groin has not been an issue.
“Everything feels pretty normal,” the righty said. “Everything feels good. Ball’s coming out well. I like where we’re at, so ready to get back.”
CALHOUN’S QUAD
Neither Boone nor Willie Calhoun were sure how much time the outfielder will miss, as Calhoun had yet to have an MRI on his quad when he and the manager spoke to reporters Thursday. Calhoun said he felt his left quad pop while running during Wednesday’s game, and he still felt sore on Thursday.
“I just don’t know the severity of it until I get the MRI back,” Calhoun said.
The Yankees placed Calhoun on the 10-day injured list with a strain. Oswaldo Cabrera replaced him on the roster.
Calhoun said he suffered a Grade 2 quad strain a few years ago that kept him out three-four weeks and required a PRP shot. He planned on getting another PRP in the coming days.
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