BOSTON -- Giancarlo Stanton patrolled the storied real estate in front of Fenway Park’s Green Monster during batting practice on Thursday afternoon, with his first defensive innings since 2019 in the weekend plans.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Stanton could start in left field on Saturday. The slugger’s most recent appearance in the outfield came in Game 1 of the 2019 American League Championship Series against the Astros.
“It’s something we’ve talked about for the last few weeks, maybe picking a day here,” Boone said. “It’s not for sure yet, but there’s a good chance he could be out there.”
The Yankees have been reluctant to play Stanton in the outfield because of a perceived increased risk of injury, but Boone said that the smaller area to cover in front of the 37-foot-high Green Monster factored into his thinking. The Yankees are hopeful that Stanton can occasionally play right field at Yankee Stadium for similar reasons.
It is possible that Saturday could be the starting point for Stanton to see more consistent defensive reps. Stanton has expressed a desire to play the outfield during the upcoming series against the Marlins in Miami, having been limited to one pinch-hit at-bat during an Interleague series in Philadelphia in June.
“When we go play another National League series in a National League park, [we can] have that available to us,” Boone said. “If that goes well, especially when we get Aaron [Judge] back, maybe I can pick some spots at home in right field where I can give Judge a DH day. So, hopefully, this is something we can do, at least sparingly, to have in play.”
Battery charged up
With backup catcher Kyle Higashioka still on the COVID-19 injured list, right-hander Gerrit Cole and catcher Gary Sánchez are expected to be partnered again on Friday, the third time they have done so this season.
Cole and Sánchez teamed on July 17 against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, when Cole struck out 11 while permitting one run and five hits over six innings for a complete-game, rain-shortened win. It was their first time Cole and Sánchez had been paired since Opening Day.
“I’ve felt comfortable with it for a while,” Boone said. “I love Higgy back there with him; they have a great rapport. As the season has unfolded, it's timed up most times to where it cycles through and works as a good off day for Gary, especially as Gary over the last six, eight weeks has really started to play well.
“But I've felt good about Gary and Gerrit working together. I thought they were really good in their last outing together.”
Draft roundup
The Yankees have agreed to terms with left-hander Brock Selvidge (third round, Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz.), for $1.5 million, MLB.com’s Jim Callis reported.
The Yankees also reached deals with first baseman Tyler Hardman (fifth round, University of Oklahoma) for $200,000 and right-hander Richard Fitts (sixth round, Auburn University) for $346,800, according to MLB Pipeline. Right-hander Zach Messinger (13th round, University of Virginia) received $225,000.
The club has not announced the deals.
He said it
“There’s just a bit of a special aura around those types of players, whether it’s a debut or a second shot. It’s kind of special to be around. … It's nice to have reminders and be able to share those moments with guys.” -- Gerrit Cole, on the production of the Yankees’ recent callups
This date in Yankees history
July 22, 2010: Derek Jeter raced around the bases for his second career inside-the-park home run in the third inning of the Yankees’ 10-4 victory over the Royals. His first came on Aug. 2, 1996.