The New York Yankees just got a major boost: Giancarlo Stanton is back for his 2025 season debut. He missed time with tennis elbow in both arms, but now he’s ready to rejoin a lineup that’s already pretty scary for opposing pitchers.
Stanton’s return could push the Yankees’ offense to another level. Still, bringing him back means juggling lineup spots, making some roster tweaks, and figuring out how to keep everyone happy at the plate.
Giancarlo Stanton’s Journey Back
After months of rehab, Stanton finally pulled on the pinstripes again. Tennis elbow in both arms kept him from swinging pain-free, which sounds brutal for a hitter of his caliber.
He worked his way back with Double-A Somerset and now looks physically ready. The Yankees aren’t taking chances, though—he’ll stick to designated hitter for the time being.
Key Roster Moves
To make room, the Yankees designated Pablo Reyes for assignment. Honestly, Reyes just wasn’t getting it done at the plate or in the field, so the move made sense.
With Stanton locked in at DH, there’s a ripple effect. Ben Rice, who’s been hot in that role, and the outfield rotation both get a little more complicated.
How Stanton’s Return Impacts the Yankees’ Lineup
The Yankees lead MLB in home runs and sit near the top in overall offense, even without Stanton. Now, with him back, there’s even more power—but also a little bit of a logjam.
Ben Rice has been excellent as a DH, posting a 117 wRC+ and strong underlying numbers. It’d be tough to just bench him.
Potential Lineup Adjustments
Manager Aaron Boone might get creative to keep both bats in the lineup. Maybe Rice shifts around the diamond—he’s shown he can handle first base, especially against righties, while Paul Goldschmidt crushes lefties.
Rice could also catch more often, letting him stay in the lineup when Stanton is at DH. That kind of flexibility could be a lifesaver for Boone.
Outfield Playing Time: A Positive Problem
The outfield picture is crowded, but that’s not exactly a bad thing. Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger are everyday guys, so the real fight is for the third spot: Trent Grisham vs. Jasson Domínguez.
Grisham has been excellent against righties, while the team wants to keep developing Domínguez. Is there a perfect answer here? Not really, but it’s a good problem to have.
Boone’s Challenge
Juggling at-bats for Stanton, Rice, Grisham, and Domínguez isn’t simple. Boone even admitted, “Having too many good players is the kind of problem you want as a manager.”
How Boone manages matchups, platoons, and positions will probably shape how far this offense can go.
What Stanton’s Return Means for the Yankees’ Season
With Stanton back, the Yankees have even more firepower. It’s not going to be easy to fit everyone in, but this group seems determined to figure it out.
If Stanton stays healthy and produces, the Yankees just might have what it takes for another deep playoff run—maybe even a shot at the World Series. But, hey, baseball’s weird. You never really know until October.
Final Thoughts
Giancarlo Stanton’s return gives the Yankees a real jolt of power. It’s not just about the home runs, though—suddenly, there are all sorts of options for how to arrange the lineup and develop the younger guys.
With Aaron Boone running the show and plenty of talent hanging around the clubhouse, you’d think the Yankees have what they need to make these changes work. Will Stanton ever look like his old MVP self again? Who knows, but just having him back ramps up the energy—and the pressure—for the rest of 2025.
- Stanton’s Activation: Brings more power to a Yankees offense that’s already leading the league.
- Utility Moves: Pablo Reyes got designated for assignment to clear some space on the roster.
- DH Decisions: Ben Rice might see less playing time at DH now.
- Outfield Strategy: The team has to juggle at-bats for Trent Grisham and Jasson Domínguez.
- Season Outlook: Stanton’s return just might boost the Yankees’ playoff and World Series chances.
Here is the source article for this story: Giancarlo Stanton has returned. What it means for the Yankees’ roster, lineup
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