After seven weeks on the IL, MLBbro Giancarlo Stanton made his long awaited return to the New York Yankees lineup.
Stanton went 2 for 3 against the LA Dodgers, which included a solo blast off of Clayton Kershaw in the top of the fourth inning.
But even with the return of Big G, the Yankees lost the contest 4-8 in LA.
Slamming’ Stanton Is Back
However there is cause for optimism. Stanton is back healthy and is continuing his solid start to the season batting .273/.310./.600 to go along with his 5 home runs in the fourteen games he played this season.
New York hopes this trend continues in their favor as he and the team have been battling injuries.
“There’s so many tools we have now that you can replicate [at-bats] better than ever,” Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone said to MLB Network regarding Stanton’s readiness.
“In Giancarlo’s case, he’s been doing a lot of physical stuff as far as outfield work and the running buildup. On the hitting side of things, what they’re able to do behind the scenes to speed up that curve has grown exponentially over the last couple of years.”
His big bat is not the only thing the Pinstripers need to climb out of third place in the AL East.
The outfield has been decimated by injuries this season. Even though Stanton is expected to log time at DH, he’ll be needed desperately in the outfield due to the attrition of the outfielders on the Yankees roster.
“I need to be in the outfield. I need to stay moving,” Stanton said. “It’s better for the team as well, so it’s what I’ve got to do.”
Giancarlo Stanton’s return performance came at the right time as the Yankees found themselves struggling to get healthy.
But as the Midsummer Classic looms over the horizon, his production must help translate into wins if the Yankees want to get themselves out of the hole they have dug into.
With the return of the G, the Yankees have a better chance of making up ground in the AL East and not becoming outcasts in the division they have owned for years.
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