NEW YORK — Disgusted that his body failed him again, often-injured Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton badly wanted to avoid going on the 10-day injured list after leaving a game in Houston two Fridays ago with a calf injury sustained while jogging from first to second base on a walk.
When that didn’t pan out, Stanton hoped for a quick return, maybe even after just 10 days.
Wednesday was day 12 and Stanton still hasn’t resumed even light running.
“I don’t know when the plan for him would be (to run),” manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees’ five-game winning streak ended with a 6-1 loss to Nathan Eovaldi and the Rangers.
Because Stanton has been on the IL multiple times with leg muscle injuries, is 36 and was hurt simply jogging, it seems logical the Yankees could be more patient in this situation, right?
“No,” Boone said. “But that said, if it’s not ready, it’s not ready, so we’ll wait.”
Stanton was in the Yankees’ lineup for 24 of their first 26 games, hitting .256 with three homers, 14 RBIs and a .724 OPS.
The five-time All-Star and 17-year vet had a great start to the season, going 2-for-4 in each of the Yankees’ first five games, but he hit just .186 with 25 strikeouts in 76 plate appearances and a .579 OPS over his next 19 games.
When Stanton begins running, he’ll have to work up to running hard and then running the bases. Best case, he’s probably looking at a mid-May return that easily could be pushed back.
“He knows where he is (physically),” Boone said. “I wouldn’t say we’re being more patient or less patient. The injury will declare what we’re able to do and what he’s able to do. And he’s very honest with where he’s at, too.
“Every injury to every person is a little bit different, and we try to treat it as such.”
RODON RETURN SET
Left-hander Carlos Rodon is nearing his return from a longer-than-expected recovery from offseason elbow surgery.
After three rehab starts, including a poor final one with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Rodon’s season debut probably will be on regular rest against the Brewers on Sunday in Milwaukee.
In Worcester, Mass., on Tuesday night, Rodon allowed six runs, five earned, on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings with four strikeouts and two walks. He was touched for two homers in an 83-pitch outing that left him with a 3.38 ERA.
He began his rehab assignment with starts at High-A Hudson Valley on April 24 and Double-A Somerset on April 30, allowing just one run over 9 2/3 innings combined.
“I think he’s felt ready to go now the last couple times,” Boone said. “We feel like he’s been throwing the ball well. He’s starting to command his stuff well. We feel like he’s ready.”
COLE NOT CLOSE
After watching a replay of Hudson Valley’s game Tuesday night, Boone took positives from Gerrit Cole’s 4 1/3-inning, 5-run rehab start.
“He’s filling up the strike zone, popping some 98-99 (mph fastballs),” Boone said. “I think there was a lot of good. He got whacked a couple times, which is not a bad thing.”
Cole allowed seven hits, including two homers, while striking out four and not walking anyone in a 69-pitch outing that left him with a 5.79 ERA in four rehab starts as he closes in on a return from March 2025 Tommy John surgery.
“He’s working on different things each time out,” Boone said. “I really like where he’s at.”
Boone said Cole would get “at least a couple more (rehab starts), and then we’ll see if it’s two or three.”
If Cole makes three more starts in the minors, he’ll go beyond 30 days for his rehab assignment, which began April 17. That’s the limit for pitchers, but those rehabbing from Tommy John surgery can receive up to three 10-day extensions.
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