Stanton’s Injury Update

It’s been almost three months since Giancarlo Stanton sustained what the Yankees described as a “mild” calf strain.

Five weeks ago, it seemed he was nearing a return, but after a setback while running the bases, general manager Brian Cashman revealed that Stanton had suffered a “completely new injury” to his calf.

As of Monday, the Yankees are still uncertain about when he might return or how his rehabilitation schedule looks. There’s no word on when he’ll be running the bases again.

Manager Aaron Boone mentioned before the series against the Pirates, “We know he’s continuing to develop well. He’s doing pretty well. But I don’t have a timeline.” It’s a bit frustrating, honestly. It’s hard to know what comes next.

Boone added that Stanton is “moving harder and hitting harder again,” which is a positive sign, though details remain scarce since he last practiced on June 29.

The ongoing absence of Aaron Judge only highlights the Yankees’ need for Stanton’s power, with the team struggling to keep pace without both sluggers on the field.

This season, Stanton has only played in 24 games, hitting three homers and recording a .724 OPS, which isn’t what anyone was hoping for.

Draft Signings

Meanwhile, the Yankees announced the signing of all 20 of their draft picks. Their first two selections include left-handed starters Hunter Dietz from Arkansas and Canadian high school talent Sean Duncan. The other pitchers chosen are right-handed.

Additionally, Luke Pettitte was introduced as a two-way player, serving as both a right-handed pitcher and first baseman. It’s interesting to see the legacy angle there—his father Andy played in the league, both pitching and hitting.

In total, they selected six infielders, four outfielders, one catcher, and a utility player.

Flores’ Journey

On another note, Pittsburgh’s backup catcher on Monday, Rafael Flores, was initially signed by the Yankees as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He developed in a system known for nurturing catchers and spent last season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Flores was moved to the Pirates in the deal that brought David Bednar to New York. He made a brief debut in June and was called up again this month, showcasing his potential with a 1.167 OPS in his early appearances.

Boone reflected on his time with Flores, saying, “I really enjoyed Rafa. We took him camping back in 2025. I liked him—he was a joy to be around and clearly loved the game.” It’s these small moments that make the sport meaningful, I think.