The New York Yankees are set to welcome back slugger Giancarlo Stanton to their lineup next week after a season-long absence, according to multiple MLB insiders. Yankees writer Bryan Hoch reported on X that manager Aaron Boone expects Stanton, sidelined by epicondylitis (tennis elbow) in both arms, to return for the team’s upcoming four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium, starting Monday night.
Stanton’s return is a game-changer for the Yankees. The powerhouse hitter, who posted a .233/.298/.475 slash line with 27 home runs in the 2024 regular season, is one of the team’s most formidable offensive weapons. However, his injury-prone history means he’s likely to slot back into the designated hitter (DH) role, which could trigger significant lineup adjustments.
To keep current DH Ben Rice in the lineup, the Yankees may shift him to first base, potentially moving veteran Paul Goldschmidt to second base—a position he has never played in his 15-year MLB career. This would push Jazz Chisholm Jr. to third base and could bench DJ LeMahieu. While Chisholm has expressed openness to the changes and Goldschmidt recently took reps at second during a game warm-up, the reshuffling disrupts a lineup where players are currently thriving in their roles.
Giancarlo Stanton is expected to return during the Angels series, Aaron Boone said. Could be Monday or Tuesday.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) June 14, 2025
Another option is moving Rice to catcher, a position he played regularly in high school, college, and the minors but has only handled sparingly in the majors. This move, however, would displace Austin Wells, who has been a strong performer both offensively and defensively behind the plate.
Regardless of how the Yankees adjust their lineup, Stanton’s return is a massive boost for the team and its fans. His ability to deliver clutch hits and power at the plate has been sorely missed, and supporters are eager to see him back in action, ready to make an impact. As the Yankees gear up for the Angels series, all eyes will be on how Boone navigates these changes to maximize the team’s potential with Stanton back in the fold.