Yankees Injury Report: Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton nearing their returns

It looks like there’s a chance the Yankees outfield could be back to full strength by the time the team faces the Red Sox in London later this month. Tuesday night Giancarlo Stanton began a rehab assignment with the A-Advanced Tampa Tarpons and by the end of the weekend, Aaron Judge could begin one of his own.

The Yankees are still dealing with some key injuries to their pitching staff but their offense is getting healthier with each passing week. First, it was Clint Frazier who made his return from the IL on May 6th than Aaron Hicks on the 15th and most recently Didi Gregorius who made his season debut this past Friday.

Despite all these injuries, the Yankees offense has still been one of the best in baseball over the first 66 games. Once Judge and Stanton make their returns the lineup will become even more dangerous which has to be a scary thought for the rest of the league.

Right now it looks like Stanton (calf tightness) could be back first after he began his rehab assignment Tuesday night in Tampa. Stanton went 2 for 4 with a home run in his return to action as the Tarpons DH. According to manager Aaron Boone, the plan is for Stanton to play again today in right field and then continue his rehab with Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Stanton’s only played in three games with the Yankees this season and originally landed on the IL with a left biceps strain on April 1st. After that injury healed he started feeling discomfort in his shoulder and then during his first rehab assignment on May 22nd he was scratched from the lineup with calf tightness and returned to the IL. He’s got a bit of rust to shake off so he needs a lot of at-bats but if all goes well GM Brian Cashman says he could be back during the Yankees next homestand which starts on Monday.

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As for Judge who’s been out with a left oblique strain since April 21st, he started taking on-field batting practice last week at the spring training complex in Tampa. Prior to that at the end of May, he was doing some throwing and outfield drills so he’s very close to beginning a rehab assignment.

In an interview with the Michael Kay Show on ESPN Radio Boone said that Judge could join Stanton in Scranton at some point this weekend. He than dropped what was somewhat of a bombshell by saying he also might make his return during the next homestand.

This is extremely encouraging news because a week ago I don’t think anyone thought he’d be able to return until the London series at the earliest. Now it looks like he and Stanton could be back at least a week before that.