NEW YORK -- Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton -- who hadn't played in the outfield since Sept. 14, 2023 -- got the start in right and batted cleanup on Saturday in New York's 5-4 victory over the Astros at Yankee Stadium.
Stanton, who went 1-for-2 with two walks and two RBIs before leaving for a defensive replacement in the eighth, hadn’t started a game since Monday against the Rangers at Globe Life Field because Aaron Judge became the starting designated hitter the next day while still strengthening his right flexor.
Stanton's day in the outfield started when he heard his name called by the Bleacher Creatures in the first inning.
“It was good to be out there and be on the roll call and get the win,” Stanton said.
During his seven innings in the outfield, Stanton had one putout. That came in the first inning, when Carlos Correa hit a liner to him to end the frame.
In the fourth, Correa hit an RBI single to Stanton in right. Stanton made a good throw to the plate, but Jesús Sánchez was able to score.
“I felt good. I was picking up the ball well,” Stanton said. "I thought there was a chance [at Sánchez] once I released it.”
When Judge was placed on the IL on July 26, manager Aaron Boone indicated that Stanton would see limited playing time in the outfield. Stanton, who started Saturday against Astros left-hander Framber Valdez, has been working out in the corner spots over the past week.
Stanton missed most of the first half of the season because of an injury to both elbows. Stanton has had his share of lower-body injuries over the years that have prevented him from playing the outfield.
Asked how Stanton has looked in the outfield during workouts, Boone said, “Good. More importantly, when I talk to him, [when I ask him] how he thinks it’s going, does he feel he can go out there and be representative and stuff like that. Those are more of my conversations, and G is brutally honest in those situations.
“I think he is feeling good about where he is and the week he has had out there. Talking to [third-base and outfield coach Luis Rojas], he feels like it has gone better each time [for Stanton]. Hopefully, he gets through today and have him play tomorrow.”
Stanton has been productive in the batter’s box since he returned to action on June 16, with a slash line of .271/.356/.527 plus 10 homers and 30 RBIs in 39 games.