Giancarlo Stanton is hitting high velocity again but still isn’t close to a rehab game — though he’s already hinting at some adjustments once he returns.
On Tuesday, Giancarlo Stanton made it clear he’s not yet ready to rejoin the Yankees, but he’s back in the batter’s box.
The designated hitter told MLB.com that he’s started facing pitches from the Trajekt machine — a notable step after missing all of spring training with what he described as “tennis elbow” in both arms. The pain hasn’t gone away, but Giancarlo Stanton said his focus now is on regaining his timing.
“I’m just getting the feel back,” Giancarlo Stanton said Tuesday. “I’m hitting off some high velocity now, but I’m not close [to games] yet.”
Giancarlo Stanton added that the pain is something he’ll likely have to manage moving forward. “It’s going to be constant,” he said.
Because of the length of his absence, Stanton will need to play in minor league rehab games before rejoining the Yankees. There’s still no timetable, and Stanton said he doesn’t want to rush the process.
Manager Aaron Boone also didn’t give a target date, saying the Yankees will monitor how Stanton responds to ramped-up swings before making decisions.
Still committed to the torpedo bat
One thing is clear: when Stanton returns, he’ll be swinging the torpedo bat. The model, with a longer, more cylindrical barrel, has drawn increased attention around MLB in recent weeks. Stanton used it last season and confirmed Tuesday he plans to stick with it — despite speculation that it may have played a role in his elbow issues.
When asked directly if the change in bat contributed to the injury, Giancarlo Stanton shut it down.
“You’re not going to get the story you’re looking for,” he said. “So if that’s what you guys want, that’s not going to happen.”
Boone: “It depends on the hitter”
Boone was asked about the growing trend of torpedo bats before Tuesday’s game and said the conversation should ultimately come down to performance.
“It depends on the hitter. It’s about the person swinging it,” Boone said. “Understandably, I get it. It’s getting a lot of attention right now. But yeah, ultimately, when the dust settles, it’s about players performing.”
Boone didn’t link the bat to Stanton’s injury but noted that hitters are always experimenting to keep up — especially with pitch velocity increasing across the league.
Spencer Jones is using it, too
Yankees top prospect Spencer Jones is among the younger hitters who’ve made the switch. He explained his decision during spring training.
“They showed me that my bat barrel was like 20th percentile in barrel size,” Jones said. “Why am I using a bat with a tiny barrel when I can maximize that? It was obvious for me to start using a bigger barrel.”
Whether or not the bat played a role in Giancarlo Stanton’s injury, the Yankees are hoping his return can lengthen the lineup. For now, that remains on hold.
He’s back in the cage. He’s swinging. He’s still in pain. And there’s still work to be done.
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