“He’s been hitting, so we’ll see,” the manager said. A moderate left calf strain landed Stanton on the Injured List, but judging by Boone’s comments, a return could be on the horizon.

The hope of seeing Stanton back on the field is also boosted by Aaron Judge’s upcoming return to the Yankees lineup. Will the Bronx Bombers be able to have all of their stars at full strength for the postseason?

Stanton’s impact on the Pinstripes

Before landing on the IL in late August, Giancarlo Stanton was providing some crucial middle-of-the-order pop for the Yankees. Through 112 games, Big G was slashing .238 with 24 home runs and 67 RBIs, delivering that signature exit-velocity fear factor every time he stepped into the box as the primary DH.

His raw power gave the Bronx Bombers serious length in their lineup, making his late-season absence a massive void for New York to fill right in the thick of the pennant race.

What’s left for the Yankees down the final stretch?

Aaron Boone’s Yankees have a pretty wild, high-stakes September slate to wrap up the regular season, finishing off a road clash against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park (Sept. 6) before returning home for a three-game set against the Colorado Rockies at Yankee Stadium (Sept. 8–10).

From there, they’ll host the New York Mets in a huge crosstown Subway Series at home (Sept. 11–13), take a quick Midwest trip to face the Minnesota Twins at Target Field (Sept. 14–16), and head out west again to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field (Sept. 18–20).

Finally, they’ll close out the stretch right in the Bronx with a four-game division series against the Tampa Bay Rays (Sept. 22–24) and a massive AL East regular-season finale against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium (Sept. 25–27).

“Playing brings risk, but we’re not going to put [Judge] out there where he is in jeopardy. If he’s not ready, he’s not ready to go,” Boone admitted during his pregame press conference on Tuesday. “No, that’s not my plan [to have Judge as designated hitter].”

Amid a report that the Yankees could be saving Judge’s return for a special date against the New York Mets, when the final Subway Series of the 2026 MLB season kicks off on Sept. 11, a theory suggested Judge could be back before that game but as a designated hitter.

Judge will return

However, Boone made it clear that’s not what he has in mind for Judge. Instead, he expects him to resume his right fielder duties when he returns. Still, everything remains subject to change. The Yankees’ manager made it known the team will cross that bridge when it comes to it.

“No, [Stanton‘s setback doesn’t change that]. I’m not saying there won’t be a DH day there, but my plan is to have him playing on the field. We will make whatever adjustments we need to when that time comes,” Boone stated.

Last year, when Judge returned from a flexor tendon strain in his right elbow that cost him 10 days on the injured list (IL), he returned as a designated hitter in his first game back wearing the Pinstripes.

Thus, there’s reason to believe Boone and the Yankees could have a similar plan in place when Judge returns from the 60-day IL in 2026. Boone ruled out that possibility as a long-term scenario, but left the door open for an occasional outing as a designated hitter here and there.

Judge takes new step in right direction

“Aaron Judge is expected to hit in the cages [Tuesday], Aaron Boone said. He has been doing tee-and-toss, so Boone said he expects Judge to advance to overhand batting practice,” as reported by Bryan Hoch from MLB.com.

It’s getting to the point where encouraging updates on Judge’s rehab from his rib stress fracture are a daily occurrence for fans in the Bronx. Still, Judge has yet to be activated from the IL and sent to the plate. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.

The Yankees will remain patient, and with Stanton trending toward missing the rest of the season, they have one less player to worry about calling up on Sept. 1, when rosters expand to 28 players. However, the Bronx Bombers are also aware that every game counts, and the sooner Judge can get back in action, the better positioned he’ll be to return to his best form by the time October arrives.

“Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves: Transferred DH/OF Giancarlo Stanton to the 60-day injured list,” as announced on the Yankees’ X account. It was also confirmed New York will be resorting to reliever Justin Topa, who was called up to the active roster.

The Yankees’ announcement came on the heels of Aaron Boone’s concerning update on Stanton’s health. Dealing with a calf strain, the veteran slugger suffered a setback to his other calf, prompting a 60-day IL designation. Stanton had been on the 10-day IL since April.

With a little over a month left in the season, it seems this is all she wrote for Stanton’s chances of returning in 2026. The Yankees have yet to confirm that, but all signs point in that direction. Moreover, fans don’t need to be told in order to make their own assumptions.

NY Yankees fans react to Stanton’s 60-day IL

Although he made his best effort to return in the 2026 MLB season, it seems it won’t be enough. As Stanton remains sidelined and on the IL, fans reacted to the club’s announcement with nostalgic and deflated messages.

“Thank you for everything Big G,” one fan wrote in a comment that perfectly captures how the fanbase feels. Not only is Stanton’s season likely over, many believe he won’t be back with the Yankees in 2027. “Wow, this might actually be the last of Stanton in stripes,” another fan replied to the Yankees’ post.

NY Yankees out of patience

Missing time with injuries too often, the Yankees’ trust may have run out with Stanton. In 2026 alone, Stanton suffered three injury setbacks just when New York expected him to return.

Stanton’s monstrous 13-year, $325 million deal does create some hurdles for the Yankees, but it’s not as if they can’t clear them. It will come at a cost, indeed, but at some point, the Pinstripers will have to bite the bullet. Perhaps the time has come.

Stanton’s last full season was in 2018, and since the Yankees acquired him in 2017, they have no World Series title to show for it. There’s little reason to believe that will change soon, and if it does in 2026, it won’t be with Stanton playing a big role—if any role at all.

Can Yankees move on from Stanton?

Trading Stanton isn’t possible unless he waives his full no-trade clause. And with Stanton signed through 2027, including a club option for 2028, the only way New York can part ways with him is by designating him for assignment (DFA). In that case, the Yankees would have to foot the bill for his salary.

Thanks to the Miami Marlins covering $10 million of the investment, New York is due to pay Stanton $15 million in 2027. By the looks of it, and judging by how fans are reacting, the Bronx Bombers may pay Stanton that figure only for him to move on from the Bronx.

Stanton’s stats in 2026

Judging by the noise around him, it looks like Stanton is out for the year. Thus, his numbers through 24 games in the 2026 MLB season may be final, and perhaps his last ever in the Show. In 2026, Stanton recorded eight runs, 23 hits, and three home runs. Moreover, he posted a .256 AVG, .302 OBP, .422 SLG, and .724 OPS.

The door is now open for all sorts of rumors. Will Stanton call it a career? Will he be back in 2027? And if he does, will he call New York home, or is he off to another city? That’s all buzz for the offseason and the dog days of winter. New York has bigger fish to fry with the postseason coming up, and unfortunately, it looks like Stanton won’t be a factor.

Stanton’s injury status took another hit after he strained his calf while running the bases in practice, and what little hope remained for New York may have vanished entirely. According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, the odds of Stanton playing again for the Yankees in 2026 are slim to none.

“Looks like [Stanton] is not coming back. He injured his other calf,” Ken Rosenthal stated on Foul Territory. “The Yankees are a lesser without him, so this hurts. The fact that [Stanton] is not coming back definitely hurts, especially when they are already without [Aaron] Judge.”

Stanton has been out since April

The Yankees know just how much of a factor Stanton can be when he’s healthy and dialed in. However, they didn’t get to enjoy that version of Stanton in 2026, and it looks like they won’t do so for the remainder of the season.

Stanton’s last appearance for the Pinstripers came on April 24, when the Yankees obliterated the Houston Astros 12-4 on the road. In what is shaping up to be his final game of the season, Stanton recorded a hit and an RBI in three at-bats.

As things stand, Stanton batted .256 this season with a .302 OBP, .422 SLG, and .724 OPS. By the looks of it—and the reports coming out of Yankee Stadium—those will be his final numbers of the season. They would all represent a downgrade from his stats in 2025, when he posted a .273 batting average, .350 OBP, .594 SLG, and .944 OPS.

Stanton’s future

Although his injury concerns raise eyebrows, as do questions about how much longer he will call New York home, Stanton’s contract with the Bronx Bombers could put all speculation to rest. The 36-year-old designated hitter has one more guaranteed year left on his 13-year, $325 million contract, which he signed with the Miami Marlins back in November 2014.

Moreover, the Yankees have a $15 million club option that would automatically re-sign Stanton for the 2028 campaign. In 2029, at age 39, Stanton will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in MLB.

MLB.com insider Bryan Hoch recently outlined the financial details remaining on Stanton’s massive deal. “His contract – initially signed with the Marlins in November 2014 – includes a $25 million club option for the 2028 season, which carries a $10 million buyout,” Hoch posted on X. “The Marlins are in the process of paying the Yankees $30 million to offset the deal – $10 million annually in 2026, ’27 and ’28.”

That financial structure leaves the Yankees facing a pivotal crossroads regarding Stanton’s future heading into the 2028 season, as decision-makers evaluate whether to exercise his option or cut ties via the buyout.

With starting pitcher Max Fried taking significant steps in his injury rehab, the Yankees are doing everything in their power to stay competitive in the playoff race. However, with Stanton sidelined by a fresh setback and Aaron Judge working his way back onto the field, New York’s primary objective is simply staying afloat.

Stanton’s impact with the Yankees so far

Stanton’s tenure in New York has been defined by extreme raw power paired with severe availability constraints. Acquired via trade following his 2017 NL MVP campaign, he arrived to form a middle-of-the-order pairing with Judge. However, constant lower-body injuries have restricted him primarily to a designated hitter role, complicating roster depth and financial flexibility under his massive contract.

Despite regular-season durability frustrations, Stanton has consistently delivered in high-stakes October moments. His ability to elevate his power production during deep playoff pushes—highlighted by an ALCS MVP award during New York’s 2024 American League pennant run—has made him one of the franchise’s most dangerous postseason hitters.

Ultimately, Stanton’s time in New York represents a complex trade-off between health and elite power output. While persistent injuries prevent him from being an everyday presence, his game-changing postseason heroics solidify his role as a crucial pillar of the team’s pursuit of a championship.

“It’s a moderate calf strain, so he’ll continue to rehab to try and get that right,” Boone said. Despite his desire to help his teammates on the field, it appears that Stanton may not be able to return this season.

Boone also added: “I think you all know how bad he wants to be on that field contributing to a championship.” For a team with serious intentions of making it back to the World Series, this setback could be a major blow, not only from a sporting standpoint but also psychologically for the roster.

Stanton’s return was almost a certainty before this setback, which was certainly not part of the plan. Boone, fully supporting his player, showed nothing but respect: “He has the utmost respect and admiration of everyone in that room and especially me.”

An anticipated return

Not all the news is negative for the Yankees at this point in the season. ESPN’s Jorge Castillo, through his X account, reported that Cody Bellinger will be activated tomorrow, giving this team a much-needed boost.

The Yankees have the postseason in their sights

The New York Yankees are set for a critical home stand at Yankee Stadium, starting with an AL East matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays (August 21–23). Immediately following, they host a high-stakes three-game series against the Houston Astros (August 25–27) before capping off the home stretch with a classic rivalry battle facing the Boston Red Sox (August 28–30).

With the trio of Bellinger, Stanton, and Judge out until further notice, the Yankees appear stuck in a Groundhog Day-like fate. Their latest outings look virtually indistinguishable from one another. New York’s pitching rotation looks dominant all game long, but the offense remains anemic, and eventually, a defensive breakdown decides the game. Sick and tired of watching this scenario unfold and determined not to let it linger any longer, Cole sent a strong message.

“We’re having a good time pitching and playing close games. Certainly we want to blow guys out and secure as many wins as possible,” Cole admitted, via the New York Post. “At the same time, we’re throwing the ball well, we’re playing good defense and we’re hanging in a lot of games, giving ourselves a chance to win.”

Cole calls out the offense

Obviously, Cole didn’t go as far as to throw his teammates under the bus. He didn’t need to, he still got his message across. It’s clear the subpar batting is costing New York in its race for postseason baseball, while the strong pitching is the main reason the Yankees are even in these games.

This topic is nothing new. Recently, manager Aaron Boone warned Jazz Chisholm Jr.—arguably the most disappointing Yankees batter during the 2026 MLB season—and even Chisholm Jr. was brutally honest about his at-bat struggles. As much as fans in the Bronx may want to use Jazz as a scapegoat, the problems in the batting order extend far beyond Chisholm Jr.

Clearly, and reasonably so, being without three of their most efficient and powerful bats (Bellinger, Judge, and Stanton) hurts. That’s still not an excuse strong enough for Boone and company to be complacent with the recent batting numbers. Empty at-bats and quiet innings continue to ruin otherwise great days and nights on the mound, and at some point, enough has to be enough, even without the three stars.

NY Yankees letting elite pitching go to waste

Cole didn’t name names or point fingers across the dugout, but he delivered a wake-up call regardless. The Yankees boast a Cy Young Award favorite in Cam Schlittler and arguably the best rotation in the American League.

Still, they have yet to firmly establish themselves as a playoff team in 2026. That’s mainly on the offense, as its production leaves much to be desired and has the red-hot pitchers scratching their heads.

However, Bellinger continues to prove the Yankees’ initial timeline wrong as he is well ahead of schedule. It seems Bellinger will be the first of the trio to return to MLB action. Meanwhile, Stanton may only be a step away from returning and has started running bases, albeit to a limited extent—which Bellinger hasn’t done yet. Regardless, manager Boone believes Bellinger remains ahead of the rest of the injured stars.

“[Bellinger hasn’t started base-running yet], but Bellinger feels closer [to returning], though,” Boone admitted during an appearance on Talkin’ Yanks podcast. “He’s doing agility. I would expect that intensity to be pretty good this week. I would think we would get him into a game or two before bringing him.”

NY Yankees are on a roll

Injury-riddled or not, with or without Judge, Bellinger, and Stanton, the Bronx Bombers are putting up a resistance and staying afloat in the AL East race. New York is still several games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the division lead and a spot in the American League Division Series, but the Yankees are still ahead of the Boston Red Sox in second place.

Moreover, the positive news come in bunches. Boone revealed important progress in Judge’s injury recovery, which only adds to the hype in the Bronx as the postseason draws closer, and the Pinstripers appear to be right on track.

NY Yankees’ lineup came to life

On top of it all, the starting rotation of Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, and Gerrit Cole is on a tear despite Carlos Rodon’s absence. Even Ryan Weathers is putting pressure on Boone to give him an even bigger role.

The offense has come alive after some rough outings, and Trent Grisham’s surge is a big reason, as is the immediate impact from rookie George Lombard Jr. Long story short, the Yankees are clicking, even without arguably their best hitters in Judge, Bellinger, and Stanton.

All that matters, however, is how the Bronx Bombers do in the postseason, and fans will have no fond memories of this 2026 campaign if it ends in the same old shaggy-dog story. The Yankees are well aware of that. And that’s another reason why Boone and company won’t rush any of his injured stars back onto the plate.

“Aaron Boone said ‘probably’ when asked if Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton will be back before Aaron Judge returns,” Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported on his X account.

In some ways, Boone’s update shouldn’t come as a surprise. Stanton is reportedly only one step away from being activated and has run the bases recently, while Bellinger continues to prove the Yankees’ original timeline wrong by staying ahead of schedule in his recovery.

NY Yankees await returns

Although the Yankees are managing to stay afloat in the American League Wild Card race, the Bronx Bombers could be walking into trouble, especially if their offensive struggles continue and the Pinstripers remain without Judge, Bellinger, and Stanton.

Asked when to expect the three key injured players back, Boone suggested the order of their returns is trending toward Bellinger, Stanton, and Judge. It makes sense, considering Bellinger has participated in batting practice recently, Stanton is back to running the bases in practice, and Judge has yet to return to baseball activities and was only recently cleared for “light activity.”

Where Bellinger and Stanton stand

During an appearance on Talkin’ Yanks, Boone commented that Bellinger isn’t “too far off,” but is dealing with some tightness. The Yankees won’t take any risks with the three-time All-Star outfielder, so Bellinger won’t be rushed back.

As for Stanton, Boone admitted there’s a scenario in which the 36-year-old requires a rehab assignment, such as the one Luis Gil is going through as he slowly prepares for his return to MLB action.

Stanton may be getting overlooked by the fanbase in the Bronx. At the moment, fans are too stressed about Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge’s injuries. However, they may have no reason to fret. Bellinger is reportedly proving the Yankees’ injury timeline wrong, while senior vice president and general manager Brian Cashman dropped a bold update on Judge’s return.

Hearing an encouraging update from Bellinger as Judge continues to progress, it appears the storm clouds tormenting Yankee Stadium have moved away, and the sun is finally coming out.. On that note, Stanton’s latest update hints that the good news may be coming in bunches for the Bronx Bombers, and the 36-year-old is only a step away from returning.

“Stanton will be back sooner rather than later,” Emmanuel Barberi reported on the 161st and River Ave podcast. “[Stanton] has been hitting this entire time. The second he starts running bases, [he could be back]. His hitting is at an MLB level right now. You can pop him into the lineup as long as he can base-run.”

Stanton is making progress

As reported by manager Aaron Boone over the past weekend, Stanton has “started the introduction to [running] some bases,” via MLB.com. What exactly that means for his full return to action is unclear, but it should hint that Stanton is on the right track, and his return may be ahead of schedule.

Dealing with a calf strain, Stanton was placed on the 10-day injured list (IL) back in late April and has yet to return. Long absences are nothing new to Stanton, as the Yankees’ designated hitter has now missed 250 games over the last four seasons (not including the current campaign).

Stanton’s numbers in 2026

Stanton has played in 24 games so far in the 2026 MLB campaign, tallying eight runs, 23 hits, three home runs, and 14 runs batted in (RBI). Additionally, the California native has posted a .256 batting average (AVG), .302 on-base percentage (OBP), .422 slugging percentage (SLG), and .724 OPS.

The small sample size on the year definitely plays a role, but Stanton still ranks fifth in batting average among Yankees batters.

Yankees clubhouse reporter Meredith Marakovits reported on X that Stanton’s recovery is progressing steadily. “Giancarlo Stanton said his calf is improving. Hit in cage yesterday and will hit again tomorrow. Doing workout in pool today. Seems encouraged by progress,” she wrote, signaling continued optimism around his rehab process.

Stanton has battled injuries throughout his Yankees tenure, appearing in 158 games in 2018 and 139 in 2021, but never exceeding 114 games in any other season since joining New York. His availability remains a key factor for a Yankees lineup that continues to rely on his power production when healthy.

Yankees inch closer to full-strength rotation with Cole, Rodon progress

While Stanton works his way back and Will Warren remains confident in the rotation, the Yankees are also tracking progress from their pitching core, with both Cole and Rodon expected to return before the end of June. Their rehab outings have provided encouraging signs for a rotation that has performed well despite missing key arms.

Rodon’s most recent rehab start featured 75 pitches across 5.1 innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out eight batters. Meanwhile, Cole went 5.2 innings in his latest outing, allowing three earned runs on three hits while striking out three over 60 pitches, while also reaching 95 mph on the radar gun.

Yankees building toward major roster boost in coming weeks

With Stanton trending upward and both Cole and Rodon progressing in their recovery timelines, the Yankees are moving closer to a full-strength roster at a critical point in the season. The organization remains cautiously optimistic, balancing rehab workloads with long-term durability.

If all three players return as expected, New York could soon shift from managing injuries to deploying one of the most complete rosters in baseball as they push deeper into the 2026 campaign.