The New York Yankees activated slugger Giancarlo Stanton, third baseman Josh Donaldson and pitcher Tommy Kahnle from the injured list, the team announced Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Stanton has been sidelined since April 15 with a left hamstring strain and Donaldson since April 5 with a right hamstring strain.
- Kahnle began the 2023 season on the IL with biceps tendonitis. All three players appeared in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset on Tuesday.
- In corresponding moves, the Yankees optioned Oswaldo Cabrera, Franchy Cordero and Matt Krook to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
- New York (34-24) opens a three-game series against the National League West-leading Dodgers (34-23) in Los Angeles on Friday.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What Stanton’s addition means for the Yankees
The Yankees finished the month of May with the third-best offense in MLB, and that came without having Stanton for any of those games. Before he strained his hamstring, Stanton posted a 130 OPS+ in 13 games with four home runs. Adding Stanton to this lineup may allow the Yankees to put DJ LeMahieu back in the leadoff spot instead of the middle of the order where he’s struggled in a run-producing role this season.
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With Stanton back, the Yankees’ lineup lengthens, too, which is important because the team’s bottom of the order hasn’t produced much. Yankees manager Aaron Boone also told reporters in Seattle on Wednesday the plan for Stanton will be to DH for a couple of weeks while he gets built back up to play the outfield again. — Kirschner
What Donaldson’s return means for New York
Boone has said on multiple occasions how the plan is for Donaldson to slide back into his starting spot at third base. That means LeMahieu will go back to his rover role where he’ll play third, second, first and likely DH throughout the week. Donaldson has been a disappointment for New York since the team acquired him last offseason, but the Yankees have been adamant about how confident they are in his ability to bounce back.
Before straining his hamstring, Donaldson was 2-for-16 with six strikeouts in five games. It’ll be interesting to see how long they give Donaldson to perform before potentially moving him off his starting spot with LeMahieu, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Cabrera and Oswald Peraza, who’s in Triple A, all capable of playing the position. — Kirschner
Kahnle should lighten load for key relievers
Kahnle has yet to pitch for the Yankees in the regular season or in spring training after experiencing bicep tendinitis in March. Kahnle is a bit of an unknown at this point in his career. He’s thrown just 13.2 innings since 2020 but when healthy he has one of the better changeups in baseball. The Yankees’ bullpen has been banged up and overused so having a fresh arm at their disposal should lighten the load for several of their key relievers like Clay Holmes, Wandy Peralta, Michael King and Ron Marinaccio. — Kirschner
Cabrera’s struggles continue
The demotions of bit players Cordero and Krook come as little surprise. Sending down Cabrera, however, will hit many Yankees fans right in the feels. He became an instant favorite last year at Yankee Stadium due to his energy and willingness to play all over the diamond, and for hitting .247 with six homers and 19 RBI in 44 games. Cabrera, 24, is a homegrown prospect, signing with the team out of Venezuela when he was just 16 years old. But Cabrera has struggled big-time at the plate this season, hitting just .195 with three homers and 15 RBI in 50 games. He posted a paltry 49 OPS+. At Triple A, Cabrera will get more consistent at-bats and hope to prove his worth as a switch-hitter with pop who plays multiple positions. — Kuty
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(Photo: Mark Blinch / Getty Images)