The New York Yankees desperately need Giancarlo Stanton right now.
Giancarlo Stanton’s 5-Word Message After Third Straight Absence From Yankees’ Lineup originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton hasn't played much this season, but he's been his vintage self when he has. The 35-year-old is slashing .299/.373/.576 with 12 homers and 34 RBI over just 43 games this season after coming back from elbow tendinitis in June.
Stanton picked up where he left off from the postseason, when he slashed .273/.339/.709 with seven homers and 16 RBI over 14 games. The 6-foot-6-inch, 245-pounder won the ALCS MVP award and was one of the main players who helped New York make its first World Series appearance in 15 years.
However, Stanton has missed the Yankees' last two games and is not in the lineup for Sunday's bout with the St. Louis Cardinals. The veteran issued a message before the contest, via The New York Post's Greg Joyce.
“I’m available to pinch-hit,” he said. He also didn't specify whether he's generally sore or is hurting in a specific area.
New York manager Aaron Boone added that he doesn't think Stanton will hit the IL. The oft-injured star has played five games in right field since Aaron Judge returned from his elbow injury in early August, his first defensive action since 2023. Judge is taking Stanton's designated hitter spot until he's ready to throw from the outfield again.
Giancarlo Stanton declined to say if it is a specific body part bothering him or just general soreness.
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) August 17, 2025
“I’m available to pinch-hit,” he said.
Neither he nor Aaron Boone would say if he will play RF in Tampa.
But Boone said he doesn’t see this turning into an IL situation.
Yankees Need Giancarlo Stanton Healthy to Lock Up Playoff Spot
New York is just 2.5 games ahead of the Cleveland Guardians for the third and final AL Wild Card spot ahead of Sunday's contest, and having Stanton's bat in the lineup every day would help avoid a slide down the standings. Furthermore, the team is only 1.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox for second place in the AL East, so he could help it gain more ground quickly. The Red Sox are also tied with the Seattle Mariners for the top Wild Card spot.
Right-handed pitcher Will Warren (7-5, 4.34 ERA) will start for the Yankees against Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas (6-9, 4.97 ERA) at Busch Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Related: Yankees Star Aaron Judge Makes Personal History Against Cardinals
Related: Aaron Judge Had Strong Words After Yankees’ Loss to Astros
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
