Stanton expected to make season debut during next home series

BOSTON – With three Minor League rehab games under Giancarlo Stanton’s belt and a fourth nixed on Saturday due to concerns about inclement weather, the Yankees slugger could be taking his next official swings in a big league batter’s box.

Stanton was not in the lineup for Double-A Somerset on Saturday, which manager Aaron Boone indicated might happen because of wet conditions in Bridgewater, N.J. The Yankees expect Stanton to make his season debut this week during the club’s home series against the Angels, potentially on Monday or Tuesday.

“I did talk to him today; he feels good, so we’ll see what that means,” Boone said Saturday at Fenway Park. “I expect him in some way, shape or form in the Angels series to be in play.”

Stanton is not expected to travel to Boston for Sunday’s 1:35 p.m. ET series finale against the Red Sox, Boone said.

Stanton is 3-for-11 (.273) with one double, four RBIs and one walk in three games for Somerset. He missed all of Spring Training due to tennis elbow (epicondylitis) in both arms, an issue Stanton said dates to last season.

“His at-bats look good,” Boone said. “He’s very detailed and particular about how he feels. He feels like his timing is pretty good right now. He feels up to speed on the fastball. My sense, in the little bit of communication I’ve had with him this week, is that he feels like he’s close.

“ … The biggest say is probably Big G’s now.”

Stanton’s pending return during the Yankees’ upcoming homestand will alter how the club handles the DH role.

Through Friday, Ben Rice had logged most of the turns at DH, slashing .250/.333/.530 (41-for-164) with eight doubles, one triple, 12 homers and 23 RBIs in the role. Aaron Judge (70 plate appearances) and Jasson Domínguez (36) have also seen DH time.

“I’ve even talked with Big G a month ago, talking through scenarios and things like that,” Boone said. “We’ll figure it out. Having a lot of good players is a good thing.”

During the Yanks’ recent series at Kansas City, Boone suggested Rice could see time at catcher “here and there” in addition to time spelling Paul Goldschmidt at first base. Boone said Rice has been working frequently with catching coach Tanner Swanson all year. Rice has made five appearances behind the plate this season, with no starts.

“His skill work behind the scenes, he’s doing all that,” Boone said. “Whether it’s catching bullpens … he’s doing a lot of that. He’s working at the craft all the time as much as he can. At some point, we’ll probably get him back there in a game.”