MLB

Giancarlo Stanton’s Status for Opening Day in Doubt as Injuries Persist

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By
Colin Lynch
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Colin Lynch Sports Editor

Colin Lynch covers the NFL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the New England Patriots. His sports coverage has been featured on The Sports Daily and Basketball Insiders, as well as FanSided's Chowder & Champions. A New Hampshire native and former D1 baseball player at St. John's University, Colin was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008 and enjoyed a four-year professional baseball career.

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Published24 Feb 2025

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Giancarlo Stanton’s Status for Opening Day in Doubt as Injuries Persist

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees will be one of the most significant pieces in the middle of their lineup, but will he be healthy enough to impact it? 

For the New York Yankees, Opening Day is fast approaching—but Giancarlo Stanton may not be in the lineup.

The veteran slugger has returned to New York for further medical evaluation, raising concerns about his availability to start the 2025 season. The nature of his latest tests hasn’t been confirmed, but given his ongoing battle with tendinitis in both elbows, it seems likely they are related.

A Lingering Issue That Dates Back to 2024

Stanton, 35, revealed last week that he hadn’t swung a bat in three to four weeks due to persistent elbow pain—an issue that, according to both Stanton and manager Aaron Boone, traces back to last season.

“The pain was very high in general,” Stanton told the Associated Press. “Tennis elbow, or however they call it, is tears in your tendon, so it’s not when did it feel good, when did it feel bad? There’s always the pain level there, and you got to deal with that. So, yeah, it’s just the wisest point to give time right now.”

While Boone initially downplayed concerns, referring to the issue as “akin to tennis elbow,” recent developments suggest it may be more serious than initially thought. Surgery remains a possibility, though it is considered a last resort.

Stanton was scheduled to meet with Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad on Monday morning for additional testing and treatment options, NJ.com reported.

A Career Defined by Power—And Injuries

When healthy, Stanton has proven to be one of baseball’s most dangerous power hitters. In 2024, he hit 27 home runs, drove in 72 runs, and racked up 20 doubles while playing in 114 games. He was particularly impactful in the Yankees’ postseason run, slugging seven home runs in 14 playoff games, earning ALCS MVP honors against the Cleveland Guardians.

But staying on the field has been the challenge. Stanton hasn’t played more than 120 games in any of the last three seasons, a trend that has frustrated both the Yankees and their fan base.

Yankees captain Aaron Judge, however, has been quick to defend his teammate.

“Fans will get on him about missing some games, but this guy is one of the toughest guys, hardest-working guys, I’ve ever seen,” Judge said. “He’s going to be fine when it comes down to it. It’s just a little bump in the road. We’d rather have this now than in the middle of the season.”

What This Means for the Yankees

Stanton’s power is more crucial than ever for a Yankees team that lost Juan Soto to the crosstown Mets in free agency. His ability to hit in the heart of the lineup was expected to be a key component of the offense, but if he misses time, the Yankees will need to adjust.

Judge acknowledged the possibility that Stanton could miss the start of the season but emphasized the importance of getting him fully healthy.

“The toughest thing is when you try to battle these things during the season, because then you’re 50 percent, trying to battle,” Judge said. “If he needs to take care of something right now, I think it’s the best time. Take your rest; take your time. Do whatever you need to do now and be ready to go.”

Next Steps

For now, Stanton remains in evaluation mode. Boone has stated that there is “nothing imminent” in terms of baseball activity, leaving his timeline uncertain.

A clearer picture should emerge following his latest medical tests in New York. Until then, the Yankees—and their fans—will have to wait. Whether Stanton will be ready for Opening Day remains very much in doubt.