Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton could begin rehab assignment Tuesday
Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees walks on the field before a game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Giancarlo Stanton could play in a rehab game as soon as Tuesday, Aaron Boone said.
Stanton, who hasn’t played since April 16 because of a left hamstring strain, will have a full workout this weekend before potentially playing in a minor-league game Tuesday. Asked if Stanton could join the Yankees when they play in his native Los Angeles on June 2, Boone indicated that it’s not likely.
“I know in the back of his mind he wants to play then,” Boone said. “I think he wants to make sure he’s ready and smart about this and that’ll trump everything . . . As of right now, it’s like let’s get through this weekend and hopefully be in a position to start getting some live at-bats sometime next week.”
Injury updates
Carlos Rodon (forearm strain, back pain) still has no timeline for a return but threw a flat-ground bullpen session Friday. He still needs to progress to a regular bullpen session and live hitting, Boone said. “It feels like we’re moving in a good direction the last 10 days,” he added . . . Josh Donaldson (right hamstring strain) was the DH for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday and will play again Sunday before the Yankees decide when to activate him . . . Tommy Kahnle (biceps tendinitis) could rejoin the team against the Dodgers on June 2, Boone said. He threw 20 pitches in a bullpen session with a rest in between to simulate an inning break Thursday.
Hicks released
The Yankees officially released Aaron Hicks after designating him for assignment last week.
“I hope what doesn’t get lost is the couple of really good seasons that he had here,” Boone said. “He had some good postseason moments here and then some injuries impacted his time here and probably impacted his career.” Friday’s starter, Randy Vasquez, was recalled from Triple-A.
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
