Giancarlo Stanton remained out of the Yankees' lineup for Game 3 of the ALCS on Tuesday after missing Sunday's Game 2 due to a quad injury, with manager Aaron Boone updating Stanton's clouded status before the game.

Before reaching the podium for his pregame press conference, Boone told reporters including Lindsey Adler of The Athletic that Stanton would "probably" be on the IL if it was the regular season.

Talking before the game about his injury, Stanton said he can hit but that playing the outfield is "the biggest question."

"That's gonna be the biggest hurdle right now," Stanton added about his ability to play the outfield, noting that he needs to move around more on the field to test out the injury.

Boone said that Stanton, who injured the quad during Game 1 on Saturday, will likely be available off the bench for Game 3. In his stead, Aaron Hicks is in the lineup.

"Kinda was leaning that way last night and then this morning kinda settled on it," Boone said before the game about the decision to keep Stanton out. I kinda called (Stanton) in right when he got here just said we're gonna stay away today. He's gonna get outside and move around a bit more today, feel like he would be a hitter off the bench option today. And then we'll kinda see where we are again moving forward, day-by-day here. Do feel like he's better, and we'll see how some of his work is today."

Asked if he thought Stanton would be able to play the outfield again this postseason, Boone said he was optimistic. But he qualified his response.

"Yeah, I'm optimistic," Boone said. "Again, we'll have to see. It's at least a little bit of an unknown and something that we're working through day by day. Try and make good medical evaluations, strength, see how he's doing out there. Try and have real frank conversations with (Stanton) as well."

Boone said Monday that the Yankees were still in wait-and-see mode on Stanton, but that he had hit in the batting cage prior to Game 2 on Sunday.

If Stanton is removed from the ALCS roster and replaced, he would be ineligible to return for the World Series should the Yanks make it.

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