The Yankees have the second-best record in the American League and seem to be coasting toward a playoff berth. When it comes to New York’s potential to win the World Series, though, they will certainly need to have all of their major players available. Giancarlo Stanton is one of those players that will need to be fully healthy and locked in if the Yankees hope to truly contend for a championship this season.
Stanton has not played since April 24 as he is nursing a calf injury. Below, we will look at when Stanton will likely return to the Yankees lineup, and will also take a glance at New York’s betting odds.
Giancarlo Stanton injury update: When will the DH return?
Stanton’s calf strain was originally reported to be mild. A mild calf strain typically takes 2-4 weeks to recover from.
Stanton has already been out 4 weeks and 5 days.
The 6-foot-5 inch, 245-pound slugger has been able to swing a bat but has not yet been cleared to run. The Yankees are surely being extra cautious because of Stanton’s large frame, his age, and his injury history. Calf strains are also known for having a high rate of re-injury when compared to other injuries.
Barring any setbacks, Stanton should begin running this week. He will also likely go on a brief rehab assignment before a return to the Yankees lineup.
Here is a look at the Yankees schedule around the time Stanton is likely to be back.
- Tuesday, June 2: Cleveland Guardians at New York Yankees
- Wednesday, June 3: Cleveland Guardians at New York Yankees
- Thursday, June 4: Cleveland Guardians at New York Yankees
- Friday, June 5: Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
- Saturday, June 6: Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
- Sunday, June 7: Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
- Monday, June 8: New York Yankees at Cleveland Guardians
Giancarlo Stanton outlook
Stanton did appear on the Fanatics Sportsbook American League MVP odds board prior to the start of the season, albeit with long odds of +25000. The 36-year-old designated hitter no longer appears on the board.
Stanton had been enjoying a decent start to the 2026 MLB season as he was hitting .256, had 3 home runs, and 14 RBI in 24 games played prior to the injury.
The Yankees slugger has not played in 140 games or more in a season since 2021. In 77 games played last season, he hit .273 with 24 homers and 66 RBI.He had a rough go of it in the postseason last year as he hit just .192 in 26 at-bats. He did not homer.
It was the exact opposite in the playoffs the year prior, as Stanton belted 7 home runs and drove in 16 runs in 55 at-bats.
Yankees odds
The Yankees have +475 odds to win the World Series at Fanatics Sportsbook. Only the LA Dodgers appear ahead of the Yankees on the board.
Aaron Boone’s club is -210 to win the American League East despite trailing the Tampa Bay Rays by 2.5 games at the moment.
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