Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton is Being Forgotten, And That's a Problem

Giancarlo Stanton last appeared in a game on April 24, when he drove in a run with an RBI single during the New York Yankees' win over the Houston Astros before exiting with a calf injury that has kept him sidelined ever since.

Actually, Stanton has had two separate calf issues that have kept him on the shelf. He was initially supposed to return in June, but suffered another injury in a different part of his calf during his recovery.

The good news? Jon Heyman of The New York Post has revealed that Stanton — as well as outfielder Cody Bellinger — may return around Sept. 1.

That would give Stanton plenty of time to prepare himself for the playoffs, where he has historically turned into an all-time great.

The problem? Stanton is largely being forgotten following the Yankees' decision to acquire both Luis Garcia Jr. and Heliot Ramos at the MLB trade deadline.

Stanton is strictly a designated hitter at this point of his career, so working him into the lineup regularly may prove difficult after New York's moves.

Garcia in particular will complicate things. Why? He is effectively the Yankees' new starting first baseman, which has pushed Ben Rice into the DH slot.

Once Stanton returns, things will get messy.

New York isn't moving Rice behind the plate, because God forbid the Yanks take at-bats away from Austin Wells, who they view as Pudge Rodriguez 2.0. That means Stanton may have to alternate with Garcia depending on who is pitching.

Garcia would see righties, and Stanton would then see lefties. So Stanton wouldn't be a full-time player anymore.

Considering that Stanton has been, by far, the Yankees' best postseason hitter for years, that could create a nightmarish scenario in the Bronx.

When healthy, Stanton is the team's second-best hitter behind Aaron Judge. I know everyone is on the Rice bandwagon at this point, and he is very good, but we've seen what has happened to Rice without the protection of Judge and Stanton around him.

You don't make your second-best slugger a platoon guy, but seems to be the direction New York is headed with Stanton because of its odd decision to land Garcia at the deadline.

I suppose another option could be playing Garcia at second base and benching Jazz Chisholm, who has been horrendous, but I just don't see any way the Yankees would want to live with Garcia's glove at second.

Stanton is on his way back, but you have to wonder how much of an impact New York will actually allow him to make.

Somehow, the Yankees have forgotten about the new age Mr. October.