Aaron Boone Shares Giancarlo Stanton Update Before MLB Playoffs

The New York Yankees are still deciding on Giancarlo Stanton's status for the AL Wild Card Series.

by Xavier Constantino

Sep 28, 2026

The New York Yankees are still deciding on Giancarlo Stanton's status for the AL Wild Card Series.

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

As the New York Yankees prepare for the American League Wild Card series on Tuesday, manager Aaron Boone is still making decisions on his roster. Boone said Monday that the team has not decided whether slugger Giancarlo Stanton will be on the roster for the series, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.

The Yankees open the best-of-three series against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. Both teams must finalize their rosters by Tuesday morning, which leaves the club with about a day to make the call.

Stanton last played for the Yankees in late April, missing every game since a calf strain; he then suffered another calf strain during rehab, and a series of setbacks has kept him sidelined since. In 24 games in 2026, Stanton slashed .256/.302/.422 with three home runs and 14 RBIs.

New York Yankees injured designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27)

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Boone sounded cautious about the slugger’s postseason outlook last week. He said Wednesday that Stanton was on “the outskirts of the conversation,” and that any role would likely be as a pinch-hitter.

Boone spoke about the decision again Monday, saying that Stanton has been moving around in the outfield before games and taking swings in batting practice. Boone said the Yankees trust that Stanton knows his body the best.

To get Stanton prepared to play against the Red Sox, he has been taking batting practice off the Trajekt machine, a state-of-the-art pitching machine that can simulate any pitcher in the MLB, offering statistical data on each pitch and swing.

If he makes the roster, Stanton would give the Yankees a veteran bat off the bench who has experience making big swings in the postseason in a series that could end their season in as few as two games.