Giancarlo Stanton has begun to transform a possibility that a few weeks ago seemed distant into a real decision for the New York Yankees for the Wild Card series.
The veteran batter returned to work on Thursday at Yankee Stadium, where he faced launches of a competitive speed machine as part of his recovery process. The session came just one day after Stanton faced live pitching and doing base run exercises at the Double-A Somerset facility.
The Yankees have not yet confirmed that Stanton will be available for the start of the postseason, but their advances over the last few days have allowed their name to seriously re-enter the conversation when the team starts building their roster for October.
Stanton returns to show his power on the plate
The bat has never been the main concern around Stanton. Even during his prolonged recovery, the veteran has been able to stay active by doing different types of offensive work.
On Wednesday he took another important step when taking turns in front of pitchers in Somerset. Aaron Boone confirmed that Stanton even hit a home run during that session.
A day later, the batter continued his preparation at Yankee Stadium and faced speed from a launch machine. Trent Grisham, who is also working to return from an injury, watched the session and highlighted the way Stanton looked on the plate.
For New York, checking that your swing maintains strength and pace is a positive sign. The main question is to know if your legs can withstand the necessary demands to participate in a postseason match.
Base run continues to be the most important test
Stanton's recovery has suffered several setbacks during the season, especially when he has started to increase the intensity of race exercises.
For that reason, his work at Somerset had a special meaning. Stanton ran the bases after several weeks, progressively increasing his physical load, a necessary test before the Yankees can even consider activating it.
The veteran hasn't played a major league match since April 24. His absence began with a calf injury and subsequently suffered further setbacks while trying to complete his rehabilitation.
New York has learned to manage the process patiently. Although Stanton has shown advances at different times of the season, the club has avoided setting return dates until he checks how his body responds after each increase in activity.
Yankees could use it on limited paper
Even if Stanton is authorized to return, his role could be very different from a regular player.
Boone has left open the possibility of using it mainly as a pop-up batter. That scenario would allow the Yankees to take advantage of their power without constantly requiring them to run the bases or defend a position.
The idea makes even more sense in a series of Wild Cards to the best of three games, where a single turn can completely change the course of a match.
Stanton also has extensive experience in October. Throughout his career in the postseason he registers an OPS of .926 and 18 home runs in 48 games, numbers that explain why the Yankees are willing to study all the possibilities before leaving him out of his plans.
A complicated decision for the Wild Card roster
The question is not only if Stanton can hit. The Yankees must also decide if it is convenient to use one of the 26 places on the roster in a player that could be limited exclusively to offensive situations.
In a short series, the construction of the bank acquires a special value. New York needs to balance batters, runners, defenders and pitchers, so each space can end up having a specific function.
Aaron Judge's physical situation also influences that analysis. With the captain still recovering from his own calf injury, having another powered right hitter could give Boone an important alternative to certain pitchers.
However, the team doesn't want to get ahead either. Stanton still has to complete several days of work and prove that he can respond without new physical problems.
Stanton gets close when he seemed ruled out
A few weeks ago there were few signs that Stanton could become an option for the first round of the postseason. Recent advances have changed that landscape.
First he returned to the base corrido, then faced live pitchers and now he has taken a demanding batting practice again at Yankee Stadium.
Boone continues to avoid any guarantee and the Yankees want to evaluate their evolution day by day. The decision could extend until practically the moment when the club has to officially deliver its Wild Card roster.
For now, Stanton has achieved something important: to become a real alternative again.
The next few days will determine if those advances are enough for one of the hitters with the highest power history in October to once again have a chance when the postseason starts.