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Marly RiveraESPN Writer
NEW YORK – The career of Yankees star Giancarlo Stanton in pinstripes has included what appears to be a never-ending list of trips to the injured list that has plagued Yankees fans since the former National League MVP was acquired from the Miami Marlins.
This time, the 30-year-old slugger was placed on the injured list with a tight left hamstring that, according to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, has a recovery timeline of close to four weeks.
“I’m disappointed in myself. I would be disappointed if I rooted for myself. Words can’t really describe the disappointment I had over here,” Stanton said Monday during a video conference call. “But I can’t really put it down. I need to see what’s in it for me, and that’s still a decent amount of the season and the playoffs over. just go ahead and root for my boys until I’m back. “
Stanton played in 158 games in his first season with the Yankees, hitting 38 home runs with 100 RBIs. But 2018 was the last time Yankees fans saw the left fielder regularly in the lineup.
Last year, Stanton was restricted to 18 games while dealing with knee, biceps, knee and quadriceps injuries. When it came to the 2019 postseason, he played in five games, but was out after suffering a severe strain in his right quad in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series in Houston.
At the original start of spring training this year, Stanton was injured again, this time suffering from a grade 1 straight calf strain, while performing defensive drills that sidelined him most of the spring. After the 3-month hiatus triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, Stanton had unexpected extra time to heal and was on a good start on the plate, beating .293 with three home points and seven RBIs in 14 games for his latest hamstring injury.
Stanton, who is currently receiving treatment for swelling and scar tissue, said he has worked in the weight room but has not yet started baseball-specific activities.
“It’s been difficult, to be honest. This is my life. It’s unbelievable,” he said. “There’s nothing for me to do but work to come back and keep a positive mindset. As repetitive as that may sound, there is no positivity or no benefit from being negative about it.”
Stanton had an MRI on Aug. 10 to determine the severity of the hamstring injury, which was determined to be a grade 1 left hamstring strain that would force him to miss a significant portion of the coronavirus-shortened 2020 season. The team activated Thairo Estrada, Clint Frazier and Miguel Andujar from the alternate side, and seems ready to take on some of the early-season injuries for star players with his depth.
In addition to Stanton, Yankees slugger Aaron Judge placed on the 10-day IL with a mild calf strain, and AL batting leader DJ LeMahieu will miss time by a scattered thumb.
The Yankees’ “Next Man Up” mentality was confirmed in 2019 when they sent 30 players to 39 ILs with 39 different stints, which was the previous record of 28 major leagues.
With the help of a breakthrough year by third baseman Gio Urshela, alongside a then-unknown cast of characters, including Mike Ford, Mike Tauchman and Tyler Wade, alongside former top-out prospect Frazier, the now-famous Bombers took the battle and managed to win 103 games and its first division title since 2012.
“From one of the guys who has to see his role complete, it’s great to see these guys in and ready and place wins in the column, and huge staff,” Stanton said.
Unless he decides to exercise his opt-out clause after the 2020 season – and it is assumed he will not – Stanton will have six more years left on his 13-year deal, $ 325 million, of which the Yankees on the hooks are for $ 235 million.
In other Yankees injury news Monday, LeMahieu is expected to miss two to three weeks after he went on the injured list Sunday with a sprained left thumb.
Two doctors have evaluated image of LeMahieu’s thumb and agree that there is a contamination but no fracture. The Yankees also plan to consult the hand specialist who treated LeMahieu when he suffered a similar injury in 2018 while with Colorado. LeMahieu broke a small bone in his thumb that year and missed about 2½ weeks.
The Yankees also activated All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman from the injured list prior to Monday night’s game against the Boston Red Sox after recovering from COVID-19.
“Save situation, he’ll be there tonight,” Boone said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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