Giancarlo Stanton Aims for Return to Yankees Lineup by End of May

NEW YORK — Giancarlo Stanton, the designated hitter for the New York Yankees, could make his return to the lineup by the end of May after taking live batting practice on Wednesday. This marks a positive step in his recovery from elbow tendinitis that has sidelined him since the beginning of the 2025 season.

Stanton participated in batting practice at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, seeing live pitching for the first time this year. During this session, he faced 10 pitches, hitting a ground ball to shortstop and working a walk during his two appearances.

Initially, the Yankees moved Stanton from the 15-day to the 60-day injured list last week, which enables the team to claim a player off waivers while anticipating Stanton’s return after May 27. Stanton noted that he expects to go on a rehab assignment but does not have a specific date for when this will start or how long it will last.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated that Stanton may not require a long rehab stint since he does not play a defensive position. “It depends on what kind of arms I get available [for live batting practice sessions] and how I feel in those at-bats,” Stanton said.

Stanton, 35, has dealt with elbow pain since last season. He played through the pain during the World Series, generating seven home runs in 14 postseason games. However, he ceased swinging a bat in January due to severe pain, resuming only in March. At one point, Stanton considered season-ending surgery, but that option was postponed.

When asked about Stanton’s potential return, Boone said, “I know when G’s in there, he’s ready to go. He’s not going to be in there if he doesn’t feel like he can be really productive.” Stanton’s return, if successful, could be critical to the Yankees, who currently hold a 20-16 record and sit in first place in the AL East.

As the Yankees prepare for their next series, they are managing without Stanton and have been utilizing Ben Rice as the primary designated hitter. With recent performances, Stanton’s return is eagerly anticipated by both fans and teammates.