TAMPA — Giancarlo Stanton’s Spring Training Status

A year ago, Giancarlo Stanton started his spring training with two sore elbows, which led to a delayed season until mid-June.

On Tuesday, he acknowledged that the tendinitis in both elbows is still present but noted, thankfully, he feels better now. As of now, he seems poised to fully participate at the start of camp.

The challenge ahead is to keep him healthy throughout the season, ensuring he remains a key part of the Yankees’ batting lineup.

“There’s always maintenance,” Stanton mentioned after the second team practice. “But [the elbows] didn’t affect my training in the offseason, and that’s the most important thing.”

Manager Aaron Boone commented that Stanton has been moving well during the first few days of camp, even describing him as “really thin.” Still, he suggested that Stanton might take it slow in the Grapefruit League games as a precaution, potentially pushing back his spring debut by about a week, a tactic Boone often employs for veteran players.

This cautious approach will extend into the regular season, with Boone planning to give Stanton regular days off, similar to last year, to help him remain healthy throughout the long season.

Stanton expressed satisfaction with his training, stating, “I think I had a good schedule.” He has a history of soft tissue injuries and reflected that there were certainly times he wanted to sit out, but the rotation was beneficial.

He added, “This is always about adjusting to be the best and for me to stay in the game.” Boone also hinted at the idea of playing Stanton in some spring games to keep his skills sharp, though ideally, they wouldn’t need to use him in the field during the season. He believes there are additional benefits to having Stanton play outfield, even if it’s limited.

Stanton, who has struggled with elbow challenges, only started 18 games last year, all as a designated hitter due to Aaron Judge’s recovery from flexor tendonitis. Nevertheless, he had his best regular season since 2021, hitting .273 with 24 home runs and a .944 OPS over 77 games. This performance gives him hope for a more durable season if he can avoid injury.

This season, the Yankees will rely heavily on his right-handed bat as the lineup has an abundance of left-handed hitters.

As Stanton approaches the second-to-last year of his contract, his aspirations remain straightforward. “The whole point of being a Yankee is being a champion,” he emphasized. “Without it, there will always be pain.”