Yankees Slugger Gears Up For Possible Position Switch

New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton is ready to ditch the designated hitter role — at least for now.

With Aaron Judge on the injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow, the Yankees are preparing Stanton to serve as an emergency option in the outfield. It would mark his first defensive action since 2023 and comes after months of managing his own elbow issues.

Manager Aaron Boone confirmed over the weekend that the club plans to “see if [Stanton] can be an option,” while Judge rehabs on the 10-day injured list. Stanton, who missed the first 10 weeks of the season, said he feels up to the task.

“When they put me out there, I’ll be fine,” Stanton told the New York Post before Sunday’s game. “I don’t know when it will be… but I do feel like I can do it.”

Stanton has slugged his way back into form since rejoining the lineup in mid-June, homering on both Friday and Saturday. Still, his mobility remains limited and the Yankees plan to ease him back into defensive reps before making a final call.

Boone said there is “no concern right now” about Stanton’s throwing arm but admitted the team will monitor how he responds during workouts this week. The 35-year-old slugger last played the outfield in September of last year.

New York’s current alignment — Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham and Jasson Dominguez — leans heavily left-handed, and Judge’s absence tilts the balance further. Stanton’s re-entry could offer some much-needed versatility.

Whether it is left or right, Stanton made one thing clear: he is in.

“There’s no excuses when you get out there,” he said. “Anything I can do. Whatever helps the team win.”