Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham are moving towards a possible return with the Yankees

The New York Yankees received encouraging signals within days of the start of the postseason. Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham They took new steps in their respective recovery processes and began to become options for the October roster again.

Both players worked on Wednesday at the Double-A Somerset facilities, where they faced pitchers in practice situations and also did base run exercises. Stanton also hit a home run during a session in which he took between six and seven turns.

The advances do not guarantee that neither of them will be available immediately, but they represent an important evolution for a team that has had to handle several injuries during the final stretch of the season.

Stanton faces pitching again after a long absence

The case of Giancarlo Stanton is especially significant. The veteran hasn't participated in a major league match since April 24 due to problems in the muscles of both calves.

Before being out of action, Stanton had played 24 games and had an average of .256, with three homers and 14 RBIs. Since then, the Yankees have cautiously handled their rehabilitation due to the history of injuries that has accompanied the batter for much of his time in New York.

His participation in the practice of Somerset represents one of the most important advances in recent months. Being able to face pitchers and run the bases allows the medical team and the team to evaluate not only their swing, but also the response of their legs to higher intensity movements.

However, Aaron Boone made it clear that there are still questions about how much Stanton could contribute if he manages to be available for the Wild Card series.

A possible limited role for Stanton in the playoffs

Stanton's return would not necessarily mean seeing him as a starter every day. Boone acknowledged that, if the veteran manages to get enough, one of the possibilities would be to use him mainly as an emerging hitter.

That role would make sense considering the time it has remained out of competition and the physical demands that would entail directly returning to an elimination series.

Even so, having a bat from Stanton's banking profile could give the Yankees a different tool for specific situations, especially in the last closed match entries.

Your postseason experience and your ability to change a game with a single connection are factors that New York will have to consider before establishing the ultimate roster.

Trent Grisham also shows progress in his recovery

Trent Grisham also participated in the work done at Somerset. The center fielder has been out since September 4 due to a strain in the right hamstring.

The fact that you have been able to face live pitching and performing basic run exercises is a positive signal, since speed and defensive mobility represent an important part of your game.

The Yankees need to check that Grisham can run without limitations before seriously considering his return. Unlike Stanton, its value for the roster is not limited only to the bat, since it can also provide defense in the gardens and depth in an important position.

Its evolution during the next few days will be decisive to know if there is enough time to include it in the immediate plans of the postseason.

The Yankees evaluate all their options before the Wild Card

The recovery of Stanton and Grisham comes at an especially important time. Aaron Judge He is also out of action due to a strain in his right calf, which has forced the team to evaluate different offensive and defensive configurations before starting the playoffs.

Boone has not yet confirmed that Stanton or Grisham will be on the first round roster. For now, the message is of caution: both have progressed enough to stay within the conversation, but they still have to show that they can physically respond to the demands of a real match.

The last days of the regular season will be essential. New York will have to decide if there is enough evidence to bet on either of them or if it is more convenient to build the Wild Card roster with players who have maintained constant activity.

What has changed is the landscape. A few weeks ago, Stanton's return seemed much further and Grisham was just beginning his recovery. Now both have faced pitchers again and run the bases, approaching the point where the Yankees will have to make a decision.