Giancarlo Stanton is back at spring training. Not that he’s staying long or expected to play in any games.
Aaron Boone said that he doubts the slugger will appear in any exhibitions before the Yankees head north for their season opener on March 27, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. Stanton returned to Tampa on Friday, as he had been in New York to handle a personal matter. He’s also been dealing with tennis elbows since last season, though he didn’t publicly reveal the pain until reporting to spring training last month.
Stanton received two rounds of PRP injections for his elbows while in New York. The Yankees announced the designated hitter plans on returning to New York on Monday for a third round of injections.
The latest update comes a day after Brian Cashman called the possibility of surgery a “last resort” for Stanton.
When Stanton spoke on Feb. 17, he wasn’t concerned about needing surgery. His expectation was that he would have to manage his elbows throughout the season, which is what he did last year despite his pain reaching “very high” levels.
Asked if PRP injections were considered over the offseason, Cashman said Stanton didn’t complain about his elbows flaring up until right before camp opened. Stanton previously said he stopped swinging about three weeks prior to spring training, and his elbows were a problem for most of last season, including during his power-heavy playoff run.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE
The Yankees, already in the midst of a painful spring, provided a few more injury updates on Friday.
Boone said that Tyler Matzek, a non-roster invitee who had a strong chance of making the team, has been recovering from an oblique strain that will cost him a few weeks, per the New York Post’s Greg Joyce. The good news is that Matzek is asymptomatic and could start throwing again on Monday.
Meanwhile, Clayton Beeter will start the season on the injured list after offseason shoulder tightness put him behind schedule coming into camp, per NJ.com’s Randy Miller.
Then there’s Ian Hamilton, who has been dealing with an infection, per MLB.com. The righty hasn’t gotten into a spring game yet, but Boone said the reliever is getting close.
Finally, Boone said that Clarke Schmidt will stay in Tampa when the Yankees head home for Opening Day so that he can throw in a sim game on March 28, per MLB.com. The plan is for Schmidt, who saw his schedule briefly delayed by a cranky back earlier in camp, to start the Yankees’ sixth game of the season on April 3 against the Diamondbacks. Boone expects Schmidt to be built up for 75-80 pitches.
Because the Yankees have off days on March 28 and 31, they don’t need a spot starter prior to Schmidt’s season debut.