Aaron Judge's return to the fold as a designated hitter has consequently meant less playing time for Giancarlo Stanton, but the Yankees still envision the veteran slugger seeing more action than usual this weekend.
While the Yankees' home series opener against the rival Astros on Friday night will feature Stanton on the bench for a third straight game, manager Aaron Boone believes there's a "good chance" that Stanton rejoins the starters as an outfielder on Saturday afternoon, with lefty ace Framber Valdez slated to pitch.
"We'll see, assuming how today goes. He'll do some work out there today," Boone said of Stanton's plan Friday. "The thought will be probably getting him out there tomorrow. [He looks] good. … G's usually brutally honest in those situations. So I think he's feeling good about where he's at and the week he's had. … Hopefully get through today and having him play tomorrow."
The risks associated with Stanton playing the field remain obvious. He's highly susceptible to lower-body injuries due to limited mobility from past ailments, and the Yankees have essentially made the outfield off-limits to him since 2023.
But the 35-year-old still believes he can contribute as a fielder, and until Judge is cleared for in-game throwing as he works his way back from a right elbow flexor strain, Stanton's willingness to test his defensive skills again offer the club more versatility.
After all, the Yankees should want Stanton in the lineup as much as possible. Since making his 2025 debut in mid-June — he missed 70 games with tendinitis in both elbwos — he's slashed .268/.340/.528 with 10 home runs and 28 RBI across 37 games. Stanton grounded into a double play as a pinch-hitter in Tuesday's loss to the Rangers.
"I do know he would like to have [the outfield] in play, to have it as an option," Boone said. "It would be nice to have on, at least, a small level in play. Just to add another layer of flexibility. But we've got to feel like, physically, he's able to do that and it's not taking anything away from him too."
At this point in the season, with the Yankees in the midst of a summer downturn that could bump them out of an AL wild-card spot by Sunday night, having an eager Stanton available on a near-daily basis works best.
Of course, Stanton has needed to wipe the dust off his glove this week in preparation for the assignment, but he's played more than 1,100 games as a big league outfielder. And both he and the Yankees feel he can still field the position well enough, in spite of the injury fears.
"There's always risk when you don't play the game," Boone said. "I do feel like, physically, he's in a good place to do this on a limited basis. And that's why we've spent the last week, 10 days, ramping it up and seeing how he's doing with it. … He's always been a quality outfielder. Some range is going to be limited, obviously, but I do feel like he'll make the plays that need to be made."
The balancing act with Stanton should stick around a little while longer with Judge restricted — the Yankees' captain began throwing from 90 feet on Wednesday and Boone expected the same arrangement for Friday.
Giancarlo Stanton is doing outfield work this afternoon.
Aaron Boone said pregame that there's a "good chance" Stanton will play in the outfield tomorrow pic.twitter.com/wZOjBIDCR5
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) August 8, 2025
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