The New York Yankees could have a big 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 doubtful, particularly since swinging the bat may very well be the rationale for his damage.
Additional thriller surrounded Stanton when he left spring coaching to go to New York the next week. Hoch reported that Stanton’s motive 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 trying 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 scenario.
The 37-year-old Martinez had a stable 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 can be a good substitute.
The issue is that the Yankees count on Stanton to return sooner or later this season. As such, there was some hesitation in bringing Martinez in as a stopgap, as each gamers are basically restricted to the DH function at this stage of their careers. Martinez has performed precisely 12 innings in left for the reason that begin of 2022, and Stanton didn’t make an outfield look in 2024 in an try to preserve him wholesome.
Stanton has an extensive injury history, lacking time each season since 2019. The Yankees want to seek out gamers they will depend on to return to the World Sequence and convey dwelling the championship. Though signing Martinez might trigger a logjam at DH sooner or later, it’s a threat the Yankees must take.
