Giancarlo Stanton has shoulder injury, but Yankees aren't saying anything more about it
New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton has played just three games this season. While he was put on the 10-day Injured List on April 1, there’s been little to no news regarding his status.
The situation got even stranger Tuesday when Bryan Hoch of MLB.com tried to get clarification on Stanton’s injury. Manager Aaron Boone revealed Stanton has been dealing with a shoulder issue, but didn’t go into detail regarding the injury.
I tried to ask Aaron Boone about what is going on with Giancarlo Stanton. He was vague: pic.twitter.com/t6fLSGclae
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) May 14, 2019
Initially, Boone said Stanton was dealing with a shoulder injury “now.” Stanton was originally placed on the IL with a biceps injury. After Hoch asked for specifics, Boone said he doesn’t know the exact diagnosis, but that there’s some “lingering shoulder stuff that [Stanton’s] trying to get knocked out.”
When asked whether Stanton is dealing with a shoulder tear, Boone gives his most confusing answer.
“No, it’s just — whatever. I mean, guys have different stuff going on with their — and he’s got — I don’t know what exactly is going on in there other than it’s obviously not exactly right or else he would have been back a bit ago.”
Boone later said Stanton has dealt with “a dead period or some soreness in there.” Boone didn’t indicate whether he means right now, or if he’s talking about Stanton dealing with shoulder soreness in previous seasons.
Eventually, the Yankees updated Stanton’s injury to a left shoulder strain.
Despite the mystery surrounding Stanton’s injury, the 29-year-old might be getting closer to a return. Stanton took live at-bats Monday, and will continue doing that and participating in defensive work in Tampa Bay.
While the Yankees have performed well in his absence, getting Stanton back would be a significant boost. When he’s right, Stanton is among the best sluggers in the game.
The Yankees will need his bat if they hope to fend off the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox in a suddenly tight American League East.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
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