The New York Yankees are dealing with some adversity before their season even starts. Giancarlo Stanton is dealing with pain in both elbows and there is no timetable for when he will be back.
Stanton is back in New York attending to a “personal matter,” Aaron Boone told reporters. Initially, it was believed he was receiving additional tests, but Boone shut down that claim. Stanton’s absence puts the Yankees lineup into question and Boone revealed on Foul Territory that Aaron Judge will hit second while Stanton is out.
“Right now I’m hitting (Judge) second, just because we’re very left handed, especially with Giancarlo out,” Boone said on Foul Territory, “I would say in that three hole, it depends on who I lead off. The three hole could be Jazz (Chisolm Jr.). It could be (Cody Bellinger). It could be different against a lefty.”
Judge hit third in the lineup all of last season. He hit second for most of 2023. Regardless of where Judge hits, he will be a threat to opposing pitchers. However, not having Stanton in the lineup will be a significant blow to the Yankees. Last season Stanton hit 27 home runs in 114 games. He had seven home runs in the postseason.
Boone will surely tinker with the lineup until they find a stable order. When Stanton returns it could change the lineup drastically from what the Yankees have on opening day.
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