Giancarlo Stanton Still Can't Run and the Yankees Are Running Out of Time

The New York Yankees got the update they didn't want to hear on their five-time All-Star slugger. Giancarlo Stanton hasn't even started running yet as he recovers from a low-grade right calf strain, and manager Aaron Boone is hoping the 37-year-old can at least get some hitting in this weekend. That's not exactly the kind of progress timeline that screams "we're getting him back soon."

Stanton landed on the IL last week after suffering the calf injury in the series opener against the Houston Astros. For a guy who has spent the last few years battling injuries all over his body just to stay on the field, this is becoming a familiar song. He already missed a big chunk of the offseason before even making the Opening Day roster, and now he's stuck watching from the sidelines again.

The Numbers Are Getting Ugly

When Stanton was actually in the lineup, he wasn't exactly putting on a show. Through 24 games this season, he's slashing .256/.302/.422 with just three home runs and 14 RBIs. His 100 OPS+ tells you everything you need to know: he's been exactly league average, nothing more. That's not what you want from a star-caliber bat when the rest of your offense needs to pick up the slack.

The Callup Isn't Solving It Either

The Yankees brought up outfielder Jasson Dominguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to fill the hole, but surprise, surprise: Dominguez has been sitting out the last three games with a hand injury of his own. So now New York is dealing with two injured outfielders when they need production the most.

At Least the Pitching Showed Up

One bright spot: the Yankees' arm talent looked sharp. Will Warren absolutely dominated on Friday in a 7-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles, allowing just one run over 6.1 innings with nine strikeouts. Boone raved about Warren after the game, calling his body of work throughout the season "excellent over and over again." Warren is now sitting at 4-0 with a 2.39 ERA and 46 strikeouts. If the lineup can find a way to stay healthy, this kid could be part of something special down the stretch.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.