BREAKING; Giancarlo Stanton Is Back — and the Yankees’ Lineup Just Got a Whole Lot Scarier!

The New York Yankees already lead MLB in home runs and rank second in overall offensive production by wRC+, and they may get even better with Giancarlo Stanton returning from the injured list for Monday’s game against the Angels. To make room on the roster, utility player Pablo Reyes was designated for assignment.

Stanton had missed the entire 2025 season to this point due to tennis elbow in both arms—an injury that caused him significant pain while swinging and may require ongoing management throughout his career. After a three-game rehab stint with Double-A Somerset, Stanton is now set to rejoin the big league club.

His return raises key lineup questions for manager Aaron Boone, especially since Stanton is limited to designated hitter duties. The Yankees now have 11 players with a wRC+ of 100 or better—meaning at least two quality hitters will sit each game if the roster stays healthy.

One of the biggest implications concerns Ben Rice, who has been the team’s primary DH. Despite some bad luck at the plate, his advanced stats are excellent. He ranks among MLB’s best in hard-hit rate and exit velocity and is expected to see improved results soon. His xwOBA suggests he’s one of the most unlucky hitters in baseball right now.

Boone recently said he’s considering using Rice more often as a catcher to keep his bat in the lineup. That move would affect backup catcher J.C. Escarra, who has excelled behind the plate, particularly in pitch framing. The Yankees think Rice can handle catching duties well enough, and with his bat being so valuable, they’re motivated to find ways to keep him involved.

Another option is a first base platoon. Rice hits right-handed pitching well (132 wRC+), while Paul Goldschmidt crushes lefties (242 wRC+) but struggles against righties (91 wRC+). A platoon between the two could maximize offensive output at first base.

Stanton’s presence also complicates the outfield rotation. Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger are everyday starters, but that leaves just one outfield spot for Trent Grisham and Jasson Domínguez. Grisham has been excellent against righties (166 wRC+), while Domínguez has performed well overall and is a long-term investment. The Yankees could manage this with a shared role—starting Domínguez and bringing in Grisham as a late-game defensive sub, for example.

Boone said over the weekend that he’s not planning strict platoons at first base or in the outfield, so how he balances playing time remains to be seen.

As for Pablo Reyes, his DFA was expected. He had struggled on both sides of the ball, though he did provide a memorable moment scoring the winning run in a recent game against Kansas City.

Ultimately, the Yankees now face the challenge of fitting too many capable bats into one lineup—a much better problem than not having enough.