Giancarlo Stanton returns to Yankees lineup after injury nightmare

On June 16, 2025, the New York Yankees activated Giancarlo Stanton for their game against the Los Angeles Angels, marking his return to the team after being sidelined for the first 70 games of the season due to elbow injuries. Stanton, who has a significant history of injuries, experienced pain due to inflammation in the tendons of both elbows, prompting him to miss a considerable portion of the season. While recovering, he participated in three minor league games with the Yankees' Double-A affiliate, where he showed signs of improvement with a 3-for-11 performance, including 4 RBIs. His rehabilitation was impacted by rainy weather, which cut the assignment short. Upon activation, Stanton was expected to bat fifth in the lineup and serve as the designated hitter, a role he will reclaim amid the ongoing shifts in the Yankees' batting order, which previously rotated between other players such as Ben Rice and Aaron Judge. Stanton's return is highly anticipated, especially given the team's current struggle after being swept during a recent series in Boston. Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed excitement about Stanton's comeback, reflecting the club's need for his power in the lineup. Stanton's history with injuries has affected his ability to play consistently, as he has not had a fully healthy season since 2018. Since joining the Yankees, he has missed a substantial number of games, totaling 364 out of 940 since the 2019 season began. His performance before the injury in the previous season included a batting average of .233 with 27 home runs and 72 RBIs in 114 games, along with a strong postseason showing where he earned the AL Championship Series MVP title. The Yankees are hopeful that Stanton's return can help revitalize their lineup, especially since they've faced injuries to other key players and are looking for offensive consistency moving forward.