Giancarlo Stanton's Return to Yankees Hits Snag in ALDS Loss

Giancarlo Stanton stepped into the batter's box for the first time in more than five months on Saturday, but his return to the Yankees lineup ended in a strikeout during Game 1 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite the outcome, manager Aaron Boone found encouraging signs in Stanton's at-bat.

Stanton, who had been sidelined since April 24 due to three separate calf strains, was called upon to pinch-hit in the top of the ninth inning with the Yankees trailing 1-0. Facing Rays closer Bryan Baker, Stanton struck out swinging on five pitches. He fouled off the first pitch, took two balls and a strike, and then foul-tipped a 96 mph fastball.

"Baker's obviously had a great year," Boone said of the opposing pitcher. "Really tough, really reverse [splits] guy. So not that I was going to hit for a lot of my lefties there, but felt the threat of Giancarlo — I thought he had a really good at-bat. I thought he was on all [five] pitches. I thought he was seeing the changeup well. I thought he got a good swing off right out of the bat."

Boone added, "I liked what I saw. He took the right at-bat. He just didn’t clip it. So yeah, I’m going to take my shot with a hitter there and got [José Caballero] to run for him and we’ll take our shot right there."

Stanton had a career history of success against Baker, entering the at-bat with a .714 batting average (5-for-7) with one strikeout against the right-handed pitcher. His appearance marked his first game action since suffering his injury.

In another roster move, pitcher Ryan Weathers made his first appearance since August 22, coming in to relieve Gerrit Cole in the sixth inning. Weathers pitched effectively, retiring three left-handed hitters on ground balls to first base using just nine pitches. He expressed feeling healthy and confident in his stuff, indicating he should be available for Game 2. Weathers had been left off the Yankees' roster for the wild-card series to allow him more time to build up his arm strength.

To make room for Weathers on the ALDS roster, the Yankees removed veteran utility player Amed Rosario. Boone cited the Rays' fewer left-handed pitchers and the existing right-handed hitting options on the roster as factors in the decision. Rosario was on the wild-card roster but was deemed the "odd man out" for this series, despite his contributions to the team.