New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism that Giancarlo Stanton will play again this season, despite the slugger remaining without a clear timeline for his return to the active roster. Stanton has missed 64 consecutive games due to a right calf strain.
Stanton suffered a setback last month after appearing to be close to activation from the injured list. He is currently not running as part of his rehabilitation, which Boone described as slow-moving. "Now, that being said, I’m surprised it’s been this long," Boone said Monday from Tropicana Field. "But yes, I expect him back."
The veteran outfielder did not accompany the team on its current road trip, a move that injured players sometimes make to rehab at the club's player development complex in Tampa. Specifics regarding Stanton's current activities are limited, beyond him "upping the treadmill stuff he’s doing." He had previously advanced to running the bases before re-aggravating the injury.
Boone stated that the team has been following Stanton's physical response and medical imaging in guiding his recovery. "What he’s been able to tolerate, we’ve been able to do," Boone added. Stanton is 36 years old.
In other team news, Jasson Domínguez and Boone were involved in a dispute during the seventh inning of Monday's game when home plate umpire Emil Jimenez did not allow Domínguez to challenge a called strike. Boone noted a similar situation with the same umpire occurred last month. "The same thing happened and [Jimenez] pointed to the dugout like it was influenced by us," Boone said. "The dugout’s always going to react. He did it instantaneously. It’s a bad call, it’s a bad look and I don’t get it."
Jazz Chisholm Jr. returned to play second base on Monday after leaving Sunday's game with right big toe discomfort, going 0-for-2 with a walk. The Yankees are awaiting further bullpen developments before naming a starter for Thursday's series finale, with Elmer Rodríguez being a potential candidate for a spot start.