Yankees OF Giancarlo Stanton has remained on the team's ALCS roster despite not seeing the field since Game 1. He has been dealing with a strained quad, and though manager Aaron Boone has said he's available off the bench, he hasn't been used.
As the Yankees prepare for a crucial Game 4 mathcup with the Astros on Thursday night, Stanton was out on the field attempting to run. Here he is running to first base, and it doesn't look too promising...
Stanton attempting to run bases #Yankees pic.twitter.com/l1MtF3k901
- Kristie Ackert (@ByKristieAckert) October 17, 2019
Stanton made an impact in Game 1, roping a homer off Zack Greinke -- the Game 4 starter -- to right center field to pad the Yankees lead. He also had some very good at-bats, not chasing the sliders low and away that got him in the postseason last year. And with the Yankees struggling at the plate at the moment, having Stanton's bat out of the lineup hurts.
If this continues, it is worth exploring the option of placing Mike Tauchman on the roster in his place. Tauchman is 100 percent healthy and ready to go, according to GM Brian Cashman. However, if Stanton comes off the roster and the Yankees make the World Series, he isn't allowed to be added back on per MLB rules.
So it's certainly a tough decision to make, and one that couldn't come at a worse time at this point in the season. Stanton will continue to try to get back, but the clock is ticking on whether or not he can once again impact the Yankees in this series.