The New York Yankees might face the 2025 season without their power-hitting outfielder, Giancarlo Stanton, on Opening Day. Stanton reported to spring training on February 16, but concerns arose when it was revealed he’s dealing with soreness in both elbows, a condition manager Aaron Boone compared to tennis elbow. This has cast doubt on his availability for the start of the season.
Boone emphasized that the Yankees will take a cautious approach with Stanton during spring training, avoiding any rush to get him back on the field. “I don’t know; we’ll see,” Boone said on February 16. “It’s tough to say. I’m not going to put any timeline on it. We’re just going to be smart with it.” Whether Stanton will be ready for Opening Day or begin the season on the injured list remains uncertain.
Stanton, who has three years remaining on his 13-year, $325.5 million contract, was expected to play a significant role in the Yankees’ offense following Juan Soto’s departure in free agency. Last season, Stanton hit .233 with 27 home runs and 72 RBIs in the regular season, while posting a .273 average with 7 home runs and 16 RBIs in the playoffs.
### **Yankees Taking a Patient Approach with Stanton**
Boone confirmed that the team will not push Stanton too hard during spring training, opting instead for rest and rehab to ensure he’s ready for the long season. “He was doing stuff [in the offseason], and then he kind of shut down and got treatments,” Boone explained. “It’s just something we don’t want to rush. We’re going to have to deal with some maintenance with it throughout the year, so we don’t want to force anything too early.”
The Yankees’ first full-squad workout is scheduled for February 17, but Stanton is unlikely to participate. If he’s unavailable for Opening Day, Aaron Judge or Cody Bellinger could fill the designated hitter role. Boone has already praised Bellinger’s impact on the lineup, noting, “He’s huge for us, especially since we’re a little more left-handed right now. You take a big right-handed bat out of there, and you get a little unbalanced.”
### **Jasson Dominguez Could Step Up in Stanton’s Absence**
With Stanton’s status in question, the Yankees are prepared to give young outfielder Jasson Dominguez every opportunity to secure a starting role in left field. Dominguez, who hit .179 with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs in 56 at-bats during the 2024 season, is seen as a potential spark for the offense.
“He’s a young guy who’s still got to go out and earn it,” Boone said. “He hasn’t played a ton of baseball for as fast as he’s gotten to the big leagues and as much success as we’ve all seen him have. I think we all recognize just how talented he is. I’d love for him to secure it and grab it, and my expectation is that he will. He’s in a good spot right now, and he’s going to get every opportunity to be that guy.”
The Yankees will kick off their 2025 season on March 27 against the Milwaukee Brewers, and Stanton’s availability—or lack thereof—could significantly shape their early-season lineup.
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