As the countdown to Opening Day dwindles to mere days, the Yankees find themselves wrestling with mounting health issues that threaten to derail their early-season momentum. The spotlight falls on Giancarlo Stanton’s uncertain availability, while updates on Paul Goldschmidt and Clarke Schmidt offer mixed signals for the club’s immediate future.
With March 27th circled on the calendar for their season opener against Milwaukee at Yankee Stadium, the injury bug has bitten the Bronx Bombers at the worst possible time.
Stanton’s injury traced to Yankees’ dubious bat change
The situation surrounding Giancarlo Stanton grows increasingly worrisome, as the slugger cannot take swings due to severe bilateral elbow tendinitis. According to insider Jon Heyman’s reporting in the New York Post, Stanton’s current predicament may stem from an ill-advised bat modification recommended last season by a former Yankees associate.
Heyman’s report indicates:
“It seems a bat switch was recommended to Stanton last year. The recommender is no longer around the Yankees.”
This equipment adjustment has apparently triggered persistent elbow inflammation that intensified throughout winter. Despite undergoing multiple PRP injections, Stanton hasn’t responded as hoped, leaving season-ending surgery as a looming possibility. The organization hasn’t yet committed to this drastic option, though time is running short for alternative solutions.
At 34, Stanton was instrumental in the Yankees’ 2024 postseason push, producing a stellar .273/.339/.709 line with seven homers and 16 RBIs across 15 hits – a performance that earned him ALCS MVP honors. His potential absence creates a significant void, particularly following Juan Soto’s offseason departure to the crosstown Mets.
Stanton’s medical history offers little comfort. After appearing in 139 games in 2021, he’s struggled to maintain consistent health over the past three campaigns, with various ailments limiting his availability.
Goldschmidt close to full strength after back discomfort
Veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt provides a silver lining amid the Yankees’ health concerns. The seasoned infielder, sidelined recently with lower-back tightness that restricted him to just two plate appearances earlier this week, appears on track for a weekend comeback.
Approaching his 37th birthday later this year, Goldschmidt addressed reporters Friday with encouraging news, describing his back as “basically 100 percent or very, very close to it” and expressing confidence in his readiness.
“I wouldn’t call it an injury,” Goldschmidt clarified. “When you know you’re preparing for something in the future, it’s a little different trying to gauge how aggressive you’d be with it.”
His spring performances have impressed, featuring a .313 average (10-for-32) complemented by three home runs and a robust 1.077 OPS. With Stanton potentially missing, Goldschmidt’s role in the heart of the batting order takes on heightened importance.
He’s been actively facing live pitching, including sessions against teammate Clarke Schmidt, and should see action in multiple exhibition contests before the regular season commences.
Schmidt progressing, but rotation start in doubt
Right-hander Clarke Schmidt, penciled in as a pivotal rotation piece for 2025, continues his gradual buildup following early camp shoulder fatigue. His Thursday simulated game saw him throw 32 pitches across two innings, with positive day-after feedback.
The team’s cautious approach makes it improbable that Schmidt will make his originally scheduled start on April 3 against Arizona.
“We might be a little handcuffed, but I don’t think we’re too, too far off it,” Schmidt explained. “Building up the pitch count is obviously the most important thing right now.”
Another throwing session awaits Schmidt on Tuesday – likely in simulated or minor league settings – with a 65-70 pitch threshold required before he rejoins the major league rotation.
With frontline starter Gerrit Cole sidelined for 2025 after elbow surgery and Luis Gil out until at least July with a lat strain, Schmidt’s presence becomes even more crucial. The Yankees’ rotation currently projects to open with Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, and Marcus Stroman with Carlos Carrasco or Will Warren handling starting duties.
Despite missing three months last season with a similar lat issue, Schmidt is expected back in action by mid-April.
Hamilton bolsters bullpen with game return
The relief corps received welcome news as Ian Hamilton made his spring debut Thursday against Baltimore. Recovering from an infection, the right-handed reliever struck out all three batters he faced, though he surrendered a run on three hits in his inning of work.
Hamilton figures to complement an already formidable bullpen featuring Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, and Tim Hill. His availability strengthens a unit dealing with its own injury concerns as Opening Day approaches.
Final preparations underway despite health hurdles
As roster decisions loom, the Yankees must navigate these injury complications while finalizing their 26-man squad. Stanton’s uncertain status may necessitate rotating several players through the designated hitter role, while Goldschmidt’s health remains vital for offensive stability.
Though pitching depth continues to be stretched thin, the gradual returns of Schmidt and Hamilton offer hope that reinforcements are on the horizon as the new campaign begins.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Yankees change injured Stanton? Change him how? To what? Respectfully, the article offers nothing new on Stanton’s situation, and nothing we haven’t already known about him for a month. The link in the first paragraph is to an article on March 14th, eight days ago, which also offers nothing new about his injuries, and certainly nothing from which to exemplify a change shown in this article.
Possibly it’s just me, but I truly think that by virtue of the substance of your article, at least as it regards Stanton, your caption should have read “Yankees offer No changes regarding Stanton”.
As I said, maybe I missed the point of the article about Stanton. Or maybe, no point was ever made.