Stanton trending up, Yankees plug gaps with surprise Opening Day pick

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The New York Yankees open their 2025 campaign against the Milwaukee Brewers with a roster full of surprises — and a critical injury list that’s already stacked. But amid the setbacks, the team received some welcome news: Giancarlo Stanton has officially resumed swinging a bat.

“He’s started swinging,” manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Friday. “There’s been steady improvement.” While there’s still no official timeline for Stanton’s return, Boone’s words offer a dose of optimism for a club that needs his power in the lineup. Stanton is dealing with tendinitis in both elbows, an issue that cropped up late in spring and forced the Yankees to proceed cautiously.

Stanton remains one of the Yankees’ most dangerous offensive weapons. He hit 27 home runs in just 114 games last season, and his presence changes the entire dynamic of the lineup. For now, the club will take any progress as good news.

Pablo Reyes makes Opening Day roster

Another unexpected development: Pablo Reyes, a non-roster invitee this spring, has earned a spot on the Opening Day roster. The Yankees signed the 30-year-old to a Major League deal Thursday morning and assigned him jersey No. 19.

Reyes, a journeyman who spent last season with the Boston Red Sox, stood out in camp with his defense and versatility. He can play second base, shortstop, third, and all three outfield positions — and with DJ LeMahieu (calf) and Oswaldo Peraza (undercooked) not available, Reyes has filled a much-needed gap.

While he’s not known for power, Reyes bats right-handed — something the Yankees have been lacking off the bench — and has quickly earned the trust of the coaching staff. He’s expected to be used in a utility role.

Injuries lead to roster reshuffle

The Yankees had to get creative with their roster construction this spring. Jake Cousins, who has been out all spring with a right elbow flexor strain, was moved to the 60-day injured list to clear space on the 40-man roster for Reyes. Cousins joins a growing list of pitchers sidelined to start the season, including Jonathan Loáisiga, Scott Effross, Ian Hamilton, and Clayton Beeter.

To compensate, the Yankees built a revamped bullpen that includes Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Mark Leiter Jr., Ryan Yarbrough, Fernando Cruz, Tim Hill, Yoendrys Gómez, and Brent Headrick. Yarbrough, notably, opted out of his minor league deal with the Blue Jays before being scooped up by the Yankees.

It’s a bullpen full of new faces — but one with potential upside as the team tries to weather the early-season storm.

The 2025 Yankees look very different than the version many fans envisioned just a few weeks ago. With ace Gerrit Cole recovering from Tommy John surgery and key contributors like LeMahieu, Stanton, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil on the shelf, the team will rely heavily on its depth and adaptability out of the gate.

Still, Boone’s update on Stanton is a reminder that reinforcements are on the way.

“He’s trending in the right direction,” Boone said. For the Yankees, that’s more than just good news — it’s a reason to believe this tough start might not last long.

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