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ST.
PETERSBURG What the Yankees initially described as a setback for Giancarlo Stanton turned out to be an entirely new injury.
The designated hitter has been on the injured list and hasnt played since April 24 due to a low-grade calf strain.
Last month, Aaron Boone said that Stanton suffered a setback in his on-again, off-again rehab.
However, Brian Cashman said Thursday that Stanton actually sustained a new calf strain in a similar spot.
He had a new injury, so it kind of resets the whole thing, the GM said.
So hes finally been cleared to start some running.
Hes gotten PRP injections along the way, but ultimately, it was an unfortunate circumstance.
Certainly, wed love to have him in that lineup and being the weapon that he is.
But we have to let it heal.
We have to give it the time it takes, and unfortunately it takes time.
Cashmans revelation was the latest twist in what has been a puzzlingly prolonged absence for Stanton, who has a long history of lower-body injuries.
When he first got hurt jogging the bases on a walk in April, the Yankees hoped he wouldnt even need an IL stint.
Now its July, and theres still no potential timeline on when he could return.
Earlier this week, Boone did say that he expects Stanton back this season.
When is anyones guess, though.
I think hell be back, yes, the manager said.
Now that being said, Im surprised its been this long, but yes, I expect him back.
Stanton, 36, was batting .256 with a .724 OPS, three home runs and 14 RBI over 24 games before going on the IL.
LOMBARD AN MLB OPTION? George Lombard Jr.
should start playing in rehab games around the All-Star break, Cashman said.
The Yankees top prospect sprained a few fingers a few weeks back and has been on the IL at Triple-A.
Boone added that Lombard has begun hitting and has been fielding for some time.
Cashman said that Lombard, 21, might be a choice at some point for the Yankees this season.
Hes considered the best defensive shortstop in an organization thats been leaning on Jose Caballero and Anthony Volpe at the major league level, and he can also play second and third.
The Yankees were aggressive in promoting Lombard to Triple-A earlier this year so that they could have him as an option, and he found his groove at the plate before getting hurt after a rough start with the RailRiders.
Hed been pushing himself before the injury, Cashman said.
Definitely was thriving and conquering the final level.
Then he got hurt.
We just gotta get him playing again and turning him loose again in Triple-A.
But really talented player that, offensively, was coming a long way in closing the gap despite his age.
And defensively, hes plug and play, ready to go.
LAGRANGE NO LONGER AN OPTION? Cashman also said it will be a close call when asked if Carlos Lagrange can still be an option for the Yankees bullpen this season.
Another top prospect, he was recently shut down from throwing for approximately six weeks due to a shoulder sprain.
All we care about right now is making sure we handle his rest and rehab properly and not let whatever we have going on interfere with taking care of his health.
Hes a very talented, young player with his career ahead of him, and whats good for his career is going to be good for us, Cashman said.
Its possible, but its also possible he wont be in play towards the end because theres just not enough time.
A starter by trade, the fireballing Lagrange had been working on a transition to the bullpen at Triple-A before getting hurt.
The plan was for him to get an audition in the Yankees big league bullpen prior to the trade deadline so that Cashman could gauge just how many external arms the unit needed.
Cashman doesnt believe that Lagranges change in roles contributed to his injury, as he called the pitchers de-load process really conservative and methodical.