Yankees ad-libbing again due to another Giancarlo Stanton injury, but COVID-positive Gleyber Torres may return ‘real soon’

No, Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton did not establish a personal record making it through the first six weeks of a season without a health issue.

It does feels like it, doesn’t it?

Introducing Yankees Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers

Once again, Stanton is nursing a leg issue, as he was scratched from Friday night’s game in Baltimore about an hour before the first pitch due to left quad tightness.

If history repeats, manager Aaron Boone will downplay the issue after the Yankees’ series opener against the Orioles and then Stanton will miss a bunch of games.

Maybe this latest issue will turn out to be nothing, but it’s a reminder that Stanton was a very expensive fragile designated hitter the last two seasons. In 2019, he played just 18 of 162 games due to bicep, shoulder and knee issues, Last season, he appeared in just 23 of 60 due to a hamstring strain.

On Friday night, Boone’s lineup 2.0 moved catcher Gary Sanchez from a night off into the Stanton’s DH role.

The news of Stanton’s latest injury came about an hour after Boone mentioned his DH as a possibility to play some outfield for the first time since 2019 if center fielder Aaron Hicks’ wrist injury leads to a surgery, which is possible.

If Stanton misses significant time, the Yankees’ struggling offensive will miss his production, as he’s leading the club with nine homers and 24 RBI while batting .282 in 32 games. Stanton, however, also hasn’t fared well over the last week, as he was scratched after having gone 3-for-22 with no homers and one RBI in his last six games.

Stanton’s issue with Hicks’ potentially bad injury update was coupled with some good news: Third baseman Gio Urshela’s sore knee has improved and he was available to come off the bench on Friday after not starting as a pre-caution.

Also, the Yankees might get shortstop Gleyber Torres back as early as this weekend even though he tested positive for COVID on Thursday. According to an MLB rule, all players testing positive must be on the COVID list for 10 days minimum, but MLB is expected to change its policy for vaccinated players who are showing no symptoms.

“He could be back real soon,” Boone said. “I don’t have anything more for you right now, but we’ll see where we’re at.”

Get Yankees text messages: Cut through the clutter of social media and text during games with beat writers and columnists. Plus, exclusive news and analysis every day. Sign up now.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.