With Juan Soto's Arrival at Mets Camp, Yankees Grapple Early with Giancarlo Stanton's Injury
At 7:09 am on Sunday, the New York Mets shared a photo of Juan Soto starting his spring training journey, while just up the coast, Yankees players reported for their own camp. A notable absentee was Giancarlo Stanton, who'd shared the spotlight with Soto in the World Series just months prior. Later that day, manager Aaron Boone confirmed Stanton's arrival, but with a twist — tennis elbow in both elbows.
Boone explained that the condition, known for its overuse-related origins, had persisted through the second half of the season for Stanton. Although it affected his performance, he managed to persevere, which now forms part of the team's planning in managing his recovery. Boone insisted they'd be "slow-playing" Stanton to give the injury adequate time to heal, hoping to avoid rush decisions and potential long-term repercussions.
Stanton's surprisingly low numbers in the second half of the season might be attributed to this undercover struggle. During that stretch, he batted a mere .210, a stark contrast to his .246 in the first half. A strained left hamstring kept him sidelined for a while, which possibly affected his performance when he returned.
However, Stanton's remarkable postseason performances have always been a beacon of hope, and his recent streak was no exception. In 41 postseason games, spanning twelve series, he's shone as a .265 hitter, with an impressive 18 home runs and 40 RBIs. His dominance has been consistent, as he's batted above .250 in half of these series and hit multiple homers on five separate occasions.
Boone's admiration for Stanton's contributions to the team remained undimmed, summarizing his impact during regular seasons. "His presence was huge for us," Boone stated, highlighting Stanton's integral role in Yankees' scoring the most runs in the league and playing well at varying spots in their batting order.
Despite his potential impact, the Yankees have had their fair share of injuries — especially with Stanton. In 2022, Stanton missed two months due to a hamstring injury and played only 101 games and 415 plate appearances. The past seven seasons have seen him placed on the injured list on multiple occasions, raising concerns about this season's prospects.
Boone explained their approach to managing injuries generally, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the condition through treatment and managing discomfort. Their primary goal is to get the best possible balance between rehabilitation and performance, ensuring that Stanton fails to succumb to the demons of his injury-prone history.
With a multimillion-dollar contract and the hype surrounding Soto's arrival, the Yankees' hopes rest heavily on Stanton avoiding the injured list in the upcoming season. Missing games could pose a significant setback as Stanton approaches the 500 home run mark with 266 games still remaining out of the 708 he's played so far.
[1]: Mets Nation - New York Mets' Pitchers and catchers report from Port St. Lucie; Juan Soto arrives for his first spring training with the New York Mets[3]: ESPN - New York Yankees: Giancarlo Stanton out indefinitely with injuries to both elbows; Might miss Opening Day[4]: Mayo Clinic - Tennis elbow[5]: ESPN - New York Yankees: Stanton could miss time due to 'rejected' PRP treatment
Manager Aaron Boone revealed that Giancarlo Stanton's elbow issue, a persistent tennis elbow, affected his second-half performance during last season. Stanton, despite the injury, managed to play through it, a testament to his resilience. Brian Cashman and the Yankees are being cautious with Stanton, opting for a slow recovery process to avoid any long-term complications. Lucie, the Yankees' spring training location, will likely see Stanton starting his 2023 MLB journey later than expected.
