NEW YORK -- Giancarlo Stanton continues to advance in his recovery from injuries to both elbows. The Yankees' designated hitter participated in on-field batting practice on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium, one day after facing teammate Jake Cousins in live batting practice.
Stanton has yet to play in a game this year due to epicondylitis in both elbows, which affected his offseason preparation. Stanton was dealing with the issue last season, including during the American League Championship Series, when he earned MVP honors in the Bombers’ triumph over the Guardians.
The 35-year-old recently underwent three rounds of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to speed healing, and said he expects to continue managing some discomfort in the elbows for the remainder of his career.
“I don’t want to keep talking about this, because I’ve went over and over it,” Stanton said. “If I’m out there, I’m good enough to play. There’s no levels of anything past that.”
Though Stanton said Wednesday he expects to need some Minor League rehab games before returning, Yankees manager Aaron Boone has indicated Stanton may be ready when eligible to come off the 60-day injured list later this month (possibly for the club’s West Coast trip against the Angels and Dodgers that begins on May 26).
Boone said Stanton’s rehab may look different than others because they do not need to prepare him for playing the field. Stanton has been logging at-bats against the Trajekt high-velocity pitching machine for weeks. He’ll continue to do that in the Bronx this week and next, with the team on the road.
“I know when 'G' is in there, he’s ready to go,” Boone said. “He’s not going to be in there if he doesn’t feel like he can be really productive. I know when that time comes, when he’s ready to do that, we should be in a good spot.”
The Yankees may soon be getting some help on the pitching side, too. Right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga had his Minor League rehab assignment transferred from Single-A Tampa to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and the working plan is to get Loáisiga ready for big league action by the end of the month.
Boone said Loáisiga -- who is recovering from right elbow surgery -- is currently scheduled for five appearances at Triple-A, the first of which is slated for Wednesday. He would then pitch on Sunday and Tuesday before attempting back-to-back appearances on May 17-18.
“I’m really excited about where 'Lo' is,” Boone said. “He was throwing bullpens when we got to Tampa [in April], and I thought it looked great. I’m definitely excited to get him back.”