The New York Yankees may be tempted to activate slugger Giancarlo Stanton in time for their high-profile weekend series against the rival Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. But at least one American League insider says they’d be wise to hit the brakes.
Despite a solid statistical showing in his two-game rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset this week — going 3-for-7 with four RBIs — Stanton, according to one veteran scout, is not ready for major league pitching just yet.
“Nope, he needs more at-bats,” the scout told NJ Advance Media’s Bob Klapisch during Wednesday’s doubleheader in Bridgewater. “He’s had no spring training. You can’t expect to go straight to the big leagues and hit. Come on, man! Get some at-bats!”
Rust underneath the results?
On paper, Stanton’s rehab stint seems promising. He notched two line-drive singles and a walk in his return Tuesday night against Red Sox affiliate Portland. In Game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader, he roped a first-inning double to the opposite field, scoring top prospect George Lombard Jr. from first base.
But that success, the scout cautioned, came almost exclusively off off-speed pitches.
“The only ball Stanton hit hard was the changeup to the right-center gap in his first at-bat,” the scout said. “He hasn’t squared up a single fastball.”
That lack of timing on velocity was exposed later in the day, when Stanton faced Royals reliever Yovanny Cruz, who pumped high-90s heat. The result: a weak popup, the kind of swing that suggests timing issues still linger.
“He was late on all of them,” the scout added. “If I was facing Stanton this weekend, I’d tell my pitchers to elevate the fastball and spin him away. Do that, and there’s no way he’ll get hits.”
Limited mobility and conditioning
Beyond the bat, questions remain about Stanton’s physical readiness. He last played during the 2024 World Series, where he battled elbow pain but managed to power through. This rehab assignment marked his first game action in eight months, and while his swing showed flashes of promise, his lower body looked “stiff and lethargic,” according to the scout.
“In his first at-bat Tuesday, he hit a grounder off the end of the bat and barely made it to first base,” the scout observed. “He was running so slow I didn’t even bother timing him.”
The scout was quick to clarify that he wasn’t necessarily alarmed by Stanton’s pace. “He wasn’t going 100 percent, but I wouldn’t either if I was a guy of his stature rehabbing.”
Still, it highlights the bigger issue: Stanton has yet to log a full-speed sprint, face top-end fastballs regularly, or show stamina over multiple games. The Yankees’ urgency to reinsert his bat could backfire if he’s activated too soon.
The pressure to return
Thursday marks a crucial decision point for the Yankees. Stanton is lobbying to be activated before Friday’s series opener in Boston — a marquee series that will be nationally televised and emotionally charged.
But the organization also understands what’s at stake. Stanton’s injury history is extensive, and with Juan Soto nursing rib soreness and Aaron Judge handling heavy offensive workload, any reinjury could destabilize the lineup.
Boone has remained cautious, acknowledging Stanton’s importance but also emphasizing the need for durability.
“You want to get him back, but you also want to do it the right way,” Boone said earlier this week.
Scout’s full assessment of Stanton’s rehab
The scout’s final recommendation? More games. More reps. More fastballs.
“He’s missed this much time and expects to make it up in two games’ worth of at-bats? No way,” he said. “Sim games aren’t the same. He’s got to shake that rust off with real at-bats against live arms.”
However, the scout did offer glimmers of encouragement:
“Stanton’s body looks a little thinner than last year. He looks healthy-ish.”
“He turned on a few off-speed pitches. Legit line drives into the gaps. That swing still plays.”
“If he gets 10 more at-bats against good pitching, he could be dangerous by next weekend.”
Yankees roster implications
If the Yankees do choose to delay Stanton’s return, they may need to recalibrate their offensive blueprint for the Red Sox series. With Paul Goldschmidt holding first base and Ben Rice surging as a DH option, the lineup remains capable — but Stanton’s absence limits the bench flexibility.
And while the FanDuel moneyline has the Yankees favored at -144 in Thursday’s finale against the Royals, the bigger gamble might be how soon they reintroduce one of their most powerful — and most fragile — hitters.
Stanton’s bat is undeniably elite when it’s right. But the Yankees know that rushing stars back has cost them before. With a World Series-or-bust mindset in 2025 and a roster already stretched by injuries, the wiser move may be patience — even if it means sacrificing short-term firepower at Fenway.
“Give him more time,” the scout said bluntly. “You’ll thank yourself in August.”
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