The New York Yankees could have a major gap of their lineup to start the 2025 season.
Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton had reported to spring coaching with ache in each elbows. Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reported that supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned Stanton’s points have been akin to tennis elbow. His standing for Opening Day was unsure, particularly since swinging the bat might be the explanation for his damage.
Additional thriller surrounded Stanton when he left spring coaching to move to New York the next week. Hoch reported that Stanton’s cause for leaving was “private in nature” and that the Yankees wouldn’t elaborate additional.
At this level, the Yankees have extra questions than solutions about Stanton, in order that they have begun wanting exterior the group. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Yankees have been in touch with designated hitter J.D. Martinez within the wake of Stanton’s damage and private state of affairs.
The 37-year-old Martinez had a strong exhibiting because the Mets’ DH in 2024. In 495 plate appearances, he produced a .235/.320/.406 batting line, hitting 16 homers and 24 doubles. Whereas Martinez doesn’t have the identical energy as Stanton, he could be a decent alternative.
The issue is that the Yankees anticipate Stanton to return in some unspecified time in the future this season. As such, there was some hesitation in bringing Martinez in as a stopgap, as each gamers are primarily restricted to the DH function at this stage of their careers. Martinez has performed precisely 12 innings in left because the begin of 2022, and Stanton didn’t make an outfield look in 2024 in an try and maintain him wholesome.
Stanton has an extensive injury history, lacking time each season since 2019. The Yankees want to search out gamers they will depend on to return to the World Collection and produce house the championship. Though signing Martinez could trigger a logjam at DH sooner or later, it’s a danger the Yankees must take.
