Giancarlo Stanton’s season may not be over after all.
What looked like the end of the line for the Yankees DH took a turn on Sunday, when manager Aaron Boone told reporters in San Diego that Stanton has not been ruled out for the year, according to Gary Phillips of the Daily News.
“He’s been hitting, so we’ll see,” Boone said.
That’s a notable shift from Boone’s Aug. 22 update, when he said Stanton had fallen while running the bases and strained his left calf. Stanton had already been working back from a right-calf strain that had kept him out since April.
For the moment, there isn’t an obvious opening for Stanton on the Yankees’ roster. Boone and the club would need to make a decision if he’s added, unless another injury creates space.
The timing matters because Aaron Judge is expected back soon, possibly this week, while the Yankees also just put Trent Grisham on the 10-day IL with a moderate Grade 2 hamstring strain.
If Stanton doesn’t make it back this season, it could also mean his Yankees run is over. The team owes him just $12 million on the 13-year, $325 million deal that can run through the 2027 season, with the Marlins covering $10 million this year, $10 million next year and the $10 million buyout.
Before next season, the Yankees are likely to release Stanton, who is a five-time All-Star and former NL MVP and turns 37 on Nov. 8.
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