Yankees using cold Giancarlo Stanton in AL Wild Card Series vs. Red Sox would be foolish heroism

New York Yankees DH Giancarlo Stanton's season appeared to be over last month after he suffered a third calf strain since April. However, Stanton has been hitting, and took live at-bats in Somerset with Trent Grisham on Wednesday.

According to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, both players are "knocking on the door" to return, presumably in the Wild Card series, which begins on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Additionally, Boone said Stanton homered during one of his live at-bats. While this is a good sign, the Yankees are now mulling using Stanton exclusively as a pinch-hitter and bench option in the postseason. And although "playoff Stanton" has proven to be clutch for the Yankees in October, he hasn't played since Apr. 24 and bringing him in cold in the biggest games of the year would be a mistake.

There's also his track record as a pinch-hitter. Stanton went 4-for-9 with two homers and six RBI as a pinch-hitter for the Yankees in 2025. But for his career, he has struggled in this role with a .164/.299/.327 slash line.

Giancarlo Stanton's Yankees return is too risky

Stanton essentially carried the Yankees to the 2024 World Series with seven homers, 16 RBI and a 1.048 OPS in 14 games two years ago. But he has missed nearly an entire season of play this year at age 36.

Stanton has suffered three separate calf strains in 2026. If he comes back in the playoffs, even to hit, it will risk worsening his leg injuries that he has dealt with this year. And with calves you need to be extra careful given the muscles are attached to the Achilles tendon. The Yankees would be wise to let Stanton rest up and return healthy in 2027, if that's even a possibility at this point in his career.

Why bringing Stanton back doesn't work

The Yankees have a logjam at DH. Ben Rice has handled these duties since the Yankees acquired Luis Garcia Jr. at the trade deadline to play first base. Rice has been on fire in September, slashing .343/.460/.643 with six home runs and 11 RBI. There's no way the Yankees could remove Rice from their lineup.

There's also the possibility that Aaron Judge (moderate calf strain) comes back. There has certainly been mixed messaging surrounding Judge's status, and he did say he wants to play right field if/when he returns. But the reality is that the Yankees need to play it safe with their prized superstar, and should DH him if he makes it back. This would push Rice to first base, where he struggles defensively, but the Yankees might not have any other choice. Either way, that provides no opening for Stanton.

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