Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stantonis tantalizingly close to a return from injury.
He’ll begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset on Tuesday, setting him up to be activated from the IL in the next week or so.
Stanton has missed the first two-plus months of the season due to epicondylitis (tennis elbow) in both elbows.
He is coming off a 2024 season where he hit .233/.298/.475 with 27 homers and 20 doubles in 114 games.
Stanton was a force during New York’s run to the World Series, as he mashed seven homers in 14 games.
Once Stanton returns, the Yanks will have a playing time conundrum on their hands with Ben Rice, who has been serving regularly as the designated hitter.
SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reported last week that while Rice recently took ground balls at third base, he is not a candidate to play there — with New York not planning to use Rice at any defensive position other than first base and catcher.
It has been a breakout season for Rice, who is hitting .241/.327/.497 with 12 home runs in 56 games.
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