Doctor explains how Giancarlo Stanton’s violent swing strains his elbows

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New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is at risk of missing Opening Day due to persistent pain in both elbows. The veteran slugger, who described the pain level as “very high,” has not swung a bat in nearly a month. Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated that Stanton’s condition resembles “tennis elbow,” an issue that could significantly impact his readiness for the start of the season.

Giancarlo Stanton’s swing could be the root of the problem

The source of Giancarlo Stanton’s discomfort may be directly linked to his powerful swing. Dr. Timothy Gibson of MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center explained to The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty that Giancarlo Stanton’s extreme bat speed and firm grip could be placing excessive stress on his elbows.

“If you swing harder than anybody, that means you’re holding on to the bat tighter than everybody,” Gibson said. “If he’s using more of his arms, there’s a lot of stress across his elbows.”

Gibson noted that Giancarlo Stanton’s mechanics may make him particularly susceptible to this type of injury. “That’s his style, though,” he continued. “I would not be surprised if you did a biomechanical study and saw the stress on his elbows is more than any other player. Just swinging harder than everyone puts more strain on them than anyone else. That’s just logic.”

At 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds, Giancarlo Stanton’s frame resembles that of a linebacker more than a typical ballplayer. His sheer strength has helped him generate some of the most powerful swings in baseball. Since the Statcast era began, Stanton has recorded more batted balls over 120 mph than anyone, and he has consistently ranked among the league leaders in exit velocity.

His bat speed is also unmatched. In 2024, Giancarlo Stanton led Major League Baseball with an average bat speed of 81.3 mph. That explosiveness has translated to elite power production—he leads all active players with 429 career home runs—but has also contributed to a long injury history. Since joining the Yankees in 2018, he has played more than 150 games in a season just once, frequently sidelined by lower-body injuries.

Now, it’s an upper-body ailment threatening to keep him out of the lineup. And finding a solution may not be straightforward. Given the nature of Giancarlo Stanton’s swing and his reliance on raw power, adjusting his mechanics could be difficult. If he’s forced to alter his approach at the plate, it could affect his effectiveness as a hitter.

For now, Giancarlo Stanton’s availability for Opening Day remains uncertain. The Yankees will be hoping for progress in his recovery, but with no clear timeline for his return to swinging a bat, his status remains in doubt.

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