The New York Yankees have suffered another major blow to their already struggling offense, with Giancarlo Stanton potentially facing a season-ending setback.
Stanton, who has been sidelined since April with a right calf strain, suffered a moderate-grade strain to his left calf during a running progression. Manager Aaron Boone indicated Saturday that the veteran slugger could be shut down for the remainder of the season.
The news was first reported by Yankees beat writer Bryan Hoch on X and was later corroborated by MLB.com. Stanton had been working toward a return after spending months recovering from his original injury.
The setback comes at a particularly difficult time for New York. The Yankees have relied heavily on Aaron Judge while their offense has struggled to consistently produce, making Stanton’s potential return an important part of their hopes for the stretch run.
Stanton has appeared in only 24 games this season, hitting .256 with a .302 on-base percentage, a .422 slugging percentage, three home runs and 14 RBIs.
The 36-year-old’s injury history has continued to limit his availability since joining New York. He has missed roughly 44% of the Yankees’ possible games during his career, according to the information provided.
For an offense already searching for more production, Stanton’s absence removes another proven middle-of-the-order threat. Paul Goldschmidt and Ryan McMahon have struggled to provide consistent protection behind Judge, leaving the lineup without the impact bat New York had hoped to regain.
Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The Yankees entered Saturday at 73-55, three games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East. They still hold a strong position in the playoff race, but Stanton’s latest setback could make their postseason ceiling much lower.
With the regular season entering its final weeks, New York may now have to lean even more heavily on its pitching and defense. The Yankees still have time to secure their postseason position, but replacing Stanton’s potential offensive impact will be a difficult task.
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