The Yankees are set for a reinforcement surge as three veterans approach activation.
NEW YORK — As the New York Yankees continue to battle through a crowded American League East, a string of encouraging injury updates may provide the reinforcement the club has long awaited.
From Giancarlo Stanton’s long-anticipated return to DJ LeMahieu’s red-hot rehab performance and Jonathan Loaisiga’s bullpen dominance, the Bronx Bombers are slowly piecing back together a roster that has been fractured by early-season injuries.
Stanton swings toward return
Hours before a 12-3 rout of the San Diego Padres, the Yankees witnessed a key step in Giancarlo Stanton’s recovery from bilateral elbow tendinitis. Stanton, 35, faced live pitching for the first time in 2025, standing in for a 10-pitch sequence against rehabbing reliever Jake Cousins.
The at-bat was modest by any statistical measure — a groundout and a walk — but symbolically, it was significant. It marked Stanton’s most competitive swings since postseason action last fall.
Stanton later confirmed a potential return in May, though he expressed frustration over recurring health questions.
“I don’t want to keep talking about this because I’ve done it over and over,” Stanton said. “If I’m out there, I’m good enough to play. There’s no levels or anything else.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone echoed optimism about Stanton’s progression. The plan is for him to continue ramping up on the West Coast road trip, where he’ll face the team’s Trajekt high-velocity pitching machine and potentially run full speed. A rehab assignment is uncertain — Stanton has bypassed them in the past as a designated hitter.
May 27 is the earliest date when he can return to the Yankees’ lineup.
LeMahieu raking in the minors
While Stanton builds back into form, DJ LeMahieu appears close to completing his journey back. The veteran infielder went 2-for-3 in Wednesday’s Triple-A game, his seventh combined rehab contest between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Through those games, LeMahieu has compiled a 9-for-19 line (.474) with a home run, double, and three RBIs — an impressive resurgence after dealing with lingering calf and hip issues.
Boone said LeMahieu could rejoin the Yankees during their upcoming six-game West Coast swing, starting Friday against the Oakland Athletics. He’s expected to slide in at second base in the absence of Jazz Chisholm Jr., who remains out with a complex oblique injury.
“We’ll see how he responds after another full game,” Boone said. “He’s looked really strong at the plate and in the field. If all goes well, we’ll have a good conversation about activating him.”
Loaisiga sharp in triple-A debut
In other positive news, right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga impressed in his first Triple-A outing this season. He delivered two scoreless innings against Rochester, allowing just one hit and striking out two.
Loaisiga had previously made three appearances for Class-A Tampa, giving up one run over 3.1 innings while striking out seven. The 30-year-old has not pitched in the majors this season due to early arm fatigue and a cautious ramp-up strategy.
“He looks great,” Boone said. “Really excited about where ‘Lo’ is. The stuff’s electric again. We’re hoping he stays on track for a late-May return.”
The Yankees’ current plan involves Loaisiga pitching again on Sunday and Tuesday, then completing a back-to-back outing next weekend. If that schedule holds and no setbacks occur, Loáisiga could be activated before the end of the month.
More progress on the mound
Reliever Jake Cousins, recovering from a right elbow flexor strain, also made strides this week. In his live session against Stanton and J.C. Escarra, Cousins threw 15 pitches with solid command.
Boone described his session as “encouraging,” noting that Cousins remains on track for a possible early-to-mid June return. The team is being cautious with the right-hander, whose previous injuries have complicated his availability.
Cousins’ rehab timeline will likely differ from others due to his role as a pure reliever, with no need for fielding reps.
Meanwhile, righty Scott Effross began his rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League (FCL) and tossed a scoreless inning with one strikeout. Effross is working his way back from a left hamstring strain that sidelined him during spring training.
Injury impact on Yankees’ depth
With several key arms on the shelf to start the season, the Yankees bullpen has been tested early — a situation only exacerbated by inconsistent starting pitching and the need for multiple innings of relief. The return of Loaisiga and potentially Cousins could help stabilize the late-inning mix, especially as Devin Williams seeks consistency and Luke Weaver logs heavy usage.
Offensively, Stanton and LeMahieu provide much-needed right-handed balance. LeMahieu’s versatility — able to cover second and third base — will be vital given Chisholm’s injury and Oswald Peraza’s ongoing struggles.
Chisholm, meanwhile, remains on a four-to-six-week timeline with three separate oblique strains. As NYU Langone sports orthopedic surgeon Dr. Elise C. Bixby told, “It’s a tough one. Rotation-based players like Jazz are always at risk, and when you’re talking about multiple strain sites, caution is critical.”
As May deepens, the Yankees’ roster could soon start resembling what the front office envisioned in spring training. Stanton’s bat, LeMahieu’s steadiness, and Loáisiga’s late-inning dominance could all return by the end of the month — if timelines hold.
And for Boone, managing the transitions will be critical. “It’s about keeping these guys healthy now,” he said. “They’re all trending the right way. We just need to be smart.”
With the Yankees still within striking distance of first in the AL East, the next few weeks could mark a pivotal turning point — one injury comeback at a time.
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