As the American League East rivals prepare to battle for the division crown in the second half, the New York Yankees are only a game and a half behind the first-place Baltimore Orioles. While both teams are expected to play a significant part in the MLB trade deadline, the Yankees recently received some encouraging injury news, including the possibility that Giancarlo Stanton would return before the end of the month.
The Yankees slugger has been on the injured list since hurting his left hamstring in a game on June 22. However, the five-time All-Star is close to returning. Stanton was seen taking batting practice at Yankees Stadium before the Bombers’ game against the New York Mets on Tuesday evening, according to WFUV Sports’ Nick Palmer on X.
How soon can the Yankees expect Stanton back in the lineup? According to Palmer, New York manager Aaron Boone estimates that he will return in approximately a week.
While star outfielders Aaron Judge and Juan Soto have been extremely productive, the Yankees’ offense has been erratic. Stanton, a former MVP and two-time Silver Slugger, is no longer the force of nature he once was, but he’s still capable of providing immediate offense.
Stanton has 18 home runs, 45 RBI, and a.492 slugging percentage through 69 games this season. A comparable second half from the 34-year-old designated hitter would give the Yankees a significant advantage as they strive to catch the Orioles in the division battle.
Yankees receive favorable news on injured sluggers Giancarlo Stanton and Jasson Dominguez.
June 20, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA. Giancarlo Stanton (27) hits a single in the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium.
New York also received some good news for the club’s future, as Boone stated that the Yankees’ top prospect, Jasson Dominguez, is “doing well” and even took batting practice in Tampa. The Yankees’ manager went on to say that Dominguez is returning to the team’s Triple-A affiliate in Scranton, and that “he should be playing games within the week, so he’s very close.”
Dominguez had a severe left oblique strain during a game in mid-June. The injury was expected to keep him sidelined for eight weeks. If the latest prognosis is correct, the 21-year-old sensation will return to play in less than a month and a half.
According to MLB.com, the center fielder is the top-ranked player in the Yankees’ farm system and the 25th best prospect in baseball. Dominguez has excelled at three different levels of minor league baseball this season. He’s had a.389 batting average, 1.044 OPS, and five extra-base hits in just nine games with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Dominguez, nicknamed “The Martian” because to his alien-like talents, has most certainly done enough to warrant a second-half call-up. However, the Yankees do not currently have an outfield spot, with Aaron Judge in center (Dominguez’s natural position) and Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo in right and left, respectively.
Of then, you never know when you might need reinforcements. Fortunately, the Yankees do not lack in outfield depth. In addition to their major league group, three of the team’s top five prospects, Dominguez, Spencer Jones, and Everson Pereia, play outfield. All three were designated as center fielders. However, with Judge signed through the 2031 season and the team aiming to sign Soto to a long-term contract, the young prospects would be wise to venture out of their comfort zone.
