Giancarlo Stanton is finally approaching a meaningful on-field checkpoint, but the important detail is not just that he is scheduled for live batting practice sessions on Monday and Tuesday. It is that Aaron Boone would not yet say whether Stanton will actually swing the bat, which tells you this is still a step in the process rather than a finished one.
That nuance matters because Stanton’s return has already taken a long route. In April, he strained his calf while jogging between second and third base. After building himself back up almost to the point of return, he suffered a second strain. So even now, with Monday afternoon’s session against Carlos Rodón and Tuesday’s against Clarke Schmidt on the calendar, the Yankees are still treating every progression carefully.
Boone’s answer was revealing in its own way. He said Stanton is “in position to probably do that now for a little bit,” which suggests the club believes the next phase of rehab is close, but not necessarily complete. That is the tension around Stanton right now: the schedule is moving forward, but the Yankees are still being cautious about what the schedule actually means.
This also fits into a larger Yankees picture at the trade deadline. Stanton’s status is part of a broader roster conversation, especially with Aaron Judge’s injury situation still unresolved and no reimaging date set. In other words, this is not just about one hitter taking swings. It is about how the Yankees are managing uncertainty around two of their biggest names at the same time.
For now, the best read is simple: Stanton is moving closer, not all the way back. Live batting practice sessions are a real step, but the fact that Boone would not confirm whether he will swing suggests the Yankees are still watching how the body responds before they call it progress.
