Giancarlo Stanton, who’s been hitting the ball well for over a month, surprisingly wasn’t in the lineup against the Yankees on Wednesday.
This decision is part of the strategy the Yankees adopt to keep him healthy and productive. Notably, Aaron Judge is limited to designated hitter duties due to a right flexor strain but is gradually rejoining the lineup.
Aaron Boone discussed Stanton’s absence before their win against the Nationals, remarking that these rest days are calculated into the players’ schedules. “With a day game following a night game, you can either go today or sit out Thursday in Chicago,” he explained.
Stanton was available to pinch hit and mentioned that returning to the outfield felt enjoyable.
“Every night, we talk about how to contribute as best we can,” Boone added regarding Stanton’s adjustments.
He also shared that Stanton’s current game involves hitting the ball off the ground more effectively, noting a ground ball rate of just 31.8%. This improvement aligns with Judge’s recent struggles since his return from the injured list, although Judge himself had been experiencing difficulty before his injuries.
Boone is not yet ready to set a return date for Judge to play in the outfield, but he expressed confidence that Judge’s hitting slump isn’t directly related to his elbow injury.
Before the game, Boone commented on Judge’s timing, suggesting it’s likely “a little off,” but he believes it’s just a matter of time before Judge adjusts and returns to form.
Ryan McMahon shone in the game, contributing to the Yankees’ nine runs. He’s been working through a challenging adjustment after being traded from Colorado.
“Finally, I got one,” McMahon exclaimed about his first home run in the Bronx. He acknowledged the struggle he’s endured, while teammate Jackson Dominguez has racked up eight RBIs in his last eight games.
Ryan Yalbra shared that he felt good following his rehab start on Tuesday, where he threw 63 pitches for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre. Boone noted that Yalbra’s rehab appearance is likely wrapping up, but the next steps remain uncertain as he prepares to join the team in Chicago.
In a separate note, Paul Blackburn tossed two innings in a Nationals victory despite having no minor league options left.
