Yankees rethinking how often to use Giancarlo Stanton in the outfield

ST. LOUIS — The Yankees are pumping the brakes on Giancarlo Stanton playing the field.

Stanton, who before Aug. 9  had not played the outfield in two years, started in rightfield in four of five games this past week, including in three straight games Monday through Wednesday against the Twins.

Before the Yankees started a three-game series against the Cardinals on Friday night, Aaron Boone was cautious  about when Stanton  will play in the outfield again.

The manager disclosed before Saturday night’s game — in which Jose Caballero started in right for a second straight day — that the sudden restart for Stanton as a two-way player had taken a toll.

“A little tougher recovering after the last one,” Boone said of Wednesday night’s start against the Twins. “So we’ll see if tomorrow’s an option or not.”

Boone said the recovery issues had nothing to do with the tennis elbow condition — in both elbows — that caused Stanton to miss the first 2 ½ months of the season.

“More lower-body stuff,” Boone said without elaborating. “He got ready last night to pinch hit once the game got close and I think that went well, even better than he expected. I don’t think it’s anything big.”

Stanton has been one of the Yankees’ most consistent offensive performers since returning from the injured list on June 16, hitting .299 with 12 homers, 34 RBIs and a .949 OPS in 43 games. In his previous 27 games entering Saturday, Stanton had a ..344/.404/.733 slash line (31-for-90) with 11 homers, 27 RBIs and  17 runs scored.

“I don’t want to scrap him,” Boone said of Stanton being an option in the outfield. “But trying to be mindful and careful and smart about it, too. And to his credit, he and I talked about it and even going into it [Stanton’s first outfield start on Aug. 9], like, ‘If we have any issues, let’s get out in front of things as best we can.’ So we’ll just see. I’m kind of taking it day by day.”

Using Stanton in the field became a consideration when Aaron Judge returned from the IL a little less than two weeks ago after missing 10 games with a flexor strain in his right elbow. The reigning AL MVP has served as the DH since his return because of concern about putting too much pressure too soon on the elbow. With Judge being relegated to DH, at least in the short term, the choices were to bench Stanton and his hot bat entirely or give him reps in the field.

As for Judge and when he again will play in the field, Boone said he still does not have a timeframe on that, other than to say he continues to progress in the throwing program he began Aug. 6 in Arlington. Judge began playing catch at 60 feet, which gradually has been extended during the last week-plus to 90 feet, 120 feet and, on Friday, 150 feet.

“When the trainers give it a thumbs up, we’ll be good to go,” Boone said.

Illness sidelines Bellinger

Cody Bellinger, one of the most valuable Yankees this season because of his potent bat and ability to play multiple defensive positions well, was “under the weather” Saturday and not in that night’s lineup, Boone said.

“He was kind of sick yesterday and then woke up this morning worse,” Boone said. “I saw him when he got here, he seemed a little bit better. I expect him to be a player off the bench, but he’s just under the weather.”

It is not uncommon for the flu, and other bugs, to make their way around a big-league clubhouse at various points of a season. Boone said as of now, what Bellinger is dealing with appears to be a “stand-alone” situation.

“Hopefully,'' he said, "we keep it that way.”

By Erik Boland

erik.boland@newsday.comeboland11

Erik Boland started in Newsday's sports department in 2002. He covered high school and college sports, then shifted to the Jets beat. He has covered the Yankees since 2009.