The New York Yankees had their best season in 15 years in 2024, clinching the American League pennant and reaching the World Series for the first time since 2009. Although they lost in five games to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the overall season marked a significant success for the franchise. Entering the 2025 season, the Yankees are among the favorites to win the AL again. Despite losing Juan Soto to the rival Mets, the Yankees remained active in free agency and the trade market, setting their sights on another strong season.
The journey back to the World Series could prove to be a challenge for New York, especially after designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton revealed an elbow injury that troubled him for much of the previous season. The 35-year-old slugger disclosed he’s been dealing with a case of tennis elbow. “Tennis elbow or however they call it is tears in tendon, so it’s not about when did it feel good or bad. There’s always the pain level there, and you got to deal with that. So, yeah, it’s just the wisest point to give time right now,” Stanton stated via ESPN.
Even though Stanton is still managing this lingering injury, he isn’t overly concerned about missing opening day. “I’m definitely behind, but that’s just a matter of being ready for a full go today as opposed to in a little bit. We have five, six weeks here. It’ll be a good ramp-up from there,” he explained. Over his seven seasons with the Yankees, Stanton has hit 162 home runs and driven in 431 runs, and he was named the 2024 ALCS MVP after hitting four home runs during the team’s five-game series victory. However, his tenure in New York has been marred by injuries, with Stanton managing to play 140 or more games only once in those seven seasons. The Yankees will kick off their season on March 27 against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Baseball fans on social media expressed a plethora of opinions regarding Stanton’s injury update.
One thing to remember about Giancarlo Stanton:
In 2023, he was on the IL for a month and a half, and he did one MILB rehab game and returned to the Yankees. He might not need all that much time.
— Brendan Kuty 🧟♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) February 17, 2025
Giancarlo Stanton’s injury is concerning for a different reason…
Stanton needs to hit 71 home runs to reach 500. With 500 HR, he’s a Hall of Famer… without 500… he’s not.
— fan of the Yankees (@realboshek) February 17, 2025
The Yankees trotting out Giancarlo Stanton in the playoffs because he’s the only one that can hit home runs pic.twitter.com/2Hc87TxigA
— anna (@rockmeannadeus) February 17, 2025
Seems possible that his epic 2024 postseason ends up being the last truly great gasp of Giancarlo Stanton’s career https://t.co/kxlmmwoxQs
— nugget chef (@jayhaykid) February 17, 2025