Aaron Boone reveals Giancarlo Stanton's status vs Rays and Yankees fans are rejoicing

It looks like our concerns were for naught. Giancarlo Stanton only logging one at-bat and starting zero games against the St. Louis Cardinals had New York Yankees fans worried, but fans just got the best news possible.

On Tuesday, Aaron Boone told Talkin' Yanks that Stanton will play right field against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field and then will rest on Wednesday in preparation for the crucial four-game series against the Boston Red Sox.

OK, so we're probably not totally in the clear, but at least Stanton's not going on the injured list. The bottom line is that the Yankees need to flip the script with their play against division opponents, and Stanton returning to full-time action Tuesday puts them in the best position possible.

We'll see what happens Wednesday, but if the Yankees can guarantee Stanton will play three out of four against Boston (and they can properly align their rotation/bullpen), they will have the best chance possible to fully overtake the Wild Card picture and then make a run at the AL East crown.

Giancarlo Stanton Injury Update: Yankees star returns to lineup on Tuesday

Stanton will bat cleanup against the Rays in his return. Ben Rice will start at catcher with Austin Wells heading back to the bench. Ryan McMahon is getting a night off as Jose Caballero will take over at third base.

Boone did caution Yankees fans, however, saying "we'll see where we're at with [Stanton]" for the upcoming Red Sox series. It'll likely depend how his body reacts to being on his feet the most he has in two years. Stanton played three straight games in right field against the Twins last week and struggled to recover in time to log starting reps on either side of the ball against the Cardinals.

Thankfully it's only a two-game set vs the Rays, and giving Stanton another day of rest on Wednesday makes sense with star righty Drew Rasmussen on the mound. Stanton will face Shane Baz on Tuesday and Boone will then adjust the lineup accordingly. He can put Rice at first base and Wells at catcher and then slot Jasson Dominguez in left field.

Again, it's one day at a time. The Yankees played some of their most promising baseball this past weekend and got off days on Thursday and Monday. It's all there for the taking, as Carlos Rodón and Cam Schlittler go against the slipping Rays, who are 6.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.