Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton could return for the playoffs after a 5 1/2-month absence

New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is on the verge of returning for the playoffs after a lengthy five and a half month absence due to calf strains. The slugger tested his abilities on Wednesday at Double-A Somerset alongside fellow outfielder Trent Grisham, who has been sidelined since September 4 due to a right hamstring strain.

Both players ran the bases and Stanton hit a home run while going six or seven times at bat. Yankees manager Aaron Boone, dealing with a cold, mentioned that having Stanton and Grisham available again will make their options for pinch-hitting more realistic. Already without star batter Aaron Judge, who is out with a strained right calf, New York is almost certain to face Boston in a best-of-three Wild Card Series beginning Tuesday, with all three games scheduled at Yankee Stadium.

Stanton, who has not played since April 24, missed a total of 500 out of 1,194 games due to various injuries, including calf strains and strains of his right biceps, knee, left hamstring (three times), left quadriceps, both calf muscles, right ankle inflammation, left Achilles tendinitis and tendon pain in both elbows. With his $325 million, 13-year contract, which includes a $10 million buyout of a 2028 club option, Stanton is now owed $25 million for the upcoming season.