Giancarlo Stanton returns to the New York Yankees’ lineup after three games of general soreness, set to start in right field in one of the two games against the Rays while Aaron Judge remains out of the outfield. Judge’s timetable is unclear as he tests his right elbow with long toss, and Boone suggested he may not regain full throwing strength this season. The Yankees sit three games ahead of the AL wild-card cutoff, relying on production at the plate while managing health constraints. Stanton sits at .299 with 12 homers and 34 RBIs, OPS .953, while Judge has ripped .333 with 39 HR and 91 RBIs since Aug. 5 as a DH. Stanton’s risk—an outsized history of injuries—adds a layer of tension to any outfield deployment. The Cardinals were swept by New York, underscoring the club’s momentum, but Judge’s fielding absence hinders flexibility as the club navigates a critical stretch.

For fantasy players, Stanton’s return provides a power boost but comes with positional risk, especially in RF given his elbow history. Judge’s elbow uncertainty makes the outfield a flux point for the Yankees, potentially elevating Stanton’s upside in the short term and reshaping who benefits from New York’s lineup protections. The Rays series becomes a test of health, depth, and strategic use of the lineup as the team tries to hold its wild-card position while balancing rest for veterans.