TAMPA – Giancarlo Stanton was back at Yankee Camp on Friday, but not long.
The slugger will return to New York on Monday to give yet another round of PRP injections into his sick elbow, a team spokesman said Friday.
Stanton was away from February 24th to address personal issues before returning on Friday, but he doesn't know he will be able to resume baseball as he continues to deal with tennis elbows (tendonitis) that affect both arms.
The Yankees already knew he would go out at least throughout the beginning of the regular season – and this third round injection could delay his return even further.
He hasn't waved bats for nearly six weeks.
Before the announcement of the third round of PRPS, manager Aaron Boone said he doesn't expect Stanton to play in the spring training game.
“I doubt that,” Boone said of the 35-year-old. “But I certainly don't know that.”
The goal is to control elbow pain so that Stanton can proceed to the blow once he starts to shake.
He seems to be a long way from now on.
Boone asked what kind of activity he was doing, saying, “Not much.”
“He's just moving slowly, so I hope we'll get to the point where we start to increase him,” Boone said. “He seems to be in a good framework of mind. We just listen to our bodies.”
As general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday, the additional round of injections is the latest part of the team that conservatively treats Stanton's injuries.
“Surgery cannot be ruled out,” Cashman said. “But I know that it's not recommended on the front-end of this thing. But obviously, if there are various failed attempts, I'll start looking at different interventions.”
This is the latest injury blow for Stanton, who has fought many lower body injuries over the past six years.
Though the elbow problem began last year, Stanton and the Yankees believed they were behind him during the offseason before the pain reappeared just before camp began.
Without Stanton, the Yankees could bring Justice Aaron DH more often, with Trent Grisham in the center field lineup and Cody Bellinger on the right.
Boone appreciates Ben Rice's bats, and he could be a left-handed option, especially if the Yankees carry three catchers.
Left-handed Dom Smith was also solid, but not on the 40-person roster. The Yankees don't want their lineup to become overly left-handed.
As Cashman pointed out on Thursday, Stanton and the Yankees “are in a bit of the unknown and you're trying to treat everything modestly, so you want the best. But you have to give them the first time to play before you know where you're sitting.”
Stanton has not played more than 114 games since 2021. The Yankees want to make sure he is healthy before he returns.
“Hopefully, this will take a little time on the front end, but it will help us over a long distance,” Boone said. “He's systematic and meticulous [in his rehab]. He makes sure he is good. He's not going in a hurry [back]. He must be right. ”
