Stanton’s Role Unused During Yankees’ Sweep of Red Sox

On Tuesday and Wednesday night, Giancarlo Stanton was seen in the Yankees’ dugout, bat in hand, seemingly ready to get into the game.

But that chance never materialized.

After missing over five months due to three different calf strains, the Yankees included Stanton on their roster for the AL wild-card series, hoping he could contribute as a pinch hitter against the Red Sox’s stronger left-handed pitchers. However, the Yankees managed just fine without him, securing a sweep with a decisive 9-2 victory in The Bronx on Wednesday.

Looking ahead, it’s unclear whether Stanton will remain on the roster for the ALDS against the Rays, especially if Aaron Judge can return from his own calf issues. It seems somewhat unlikely, as the Yankees will need to balance their roster after opting for 16 position players and 10 pitchers in this opening round.

There was a moment in the sixth inning on Wednesday when it seemed Stanton might finally get his opportunity. The Red Sox brought in lefty Garrett Crochet, who, like Stanton, hadn’t appeared in a game since late April.

Yet, Yankees manager Aaron Boone opted to stick with his left-handed hitters, a decision that paid off as Spencer Jones, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Trent Grisham contributed to a six-run rally against Crochet.

Earlier in Game 1, Boone almost used Stanton to pinch hit for Jones at the start of the seventh inning against lefty reliever Alec Gamboa, but ultimately chose to keep things as they were. This decision allowed Jones to ignite yet another rally.

Boone had remarked before Game 1, “Hopefully the threat that he is can play a factor for us in this series.” In the end, however, Stanton remained merely a perceived threat, without contributing on the field.

With the series sweep, New York now has the luxury of deciding between Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón to start Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday, while Cam Schlittler is expected for Game 2.

Boone commented on the upcoming pitching decisions, stating, “We’ll talk about that. Obviously, Gerrit’s lined up for that. Carlos is very much in play for that. We have a ton of confidence in both guys. I think they’re both throwing the ball really well. That will be what we do here these next couple of days as we get ready.”

In other news, Clarke Schmidt, who made a brief return from Tommy John surgery, has now been shut down for the rest of the postseason due to right biceps neuritis, according to Boone.

Meanwhile, Ryan Weathers, recovering from a left forearm flexor strain, threw a bullpen session on Wednesday afternoon, which keeps him in contention to join the roster for the ALDS.