The New York Yankees are 35-20, trailing just the Detroit Tigers in the American League. However, there is help on the way for the Bronx Bombers. Giancarlo Stanton is nearing a return, according to the New York Post’s Greg Joyce.
Stanton’s return will force the Yankees to make a tough decision. Ben Rice has been the team’s primary designated hitter in Stanton’s absence. He is hitting just .242, but is making up for it with an .851 OPS. When Stanton returns, Rice will need a new spot in the lineup.
Rice can play catcher and first base. Paul Goldschmidt is not going to be moved off of first base, so that leaves Austin Wells. Newsweek’s Andrew Wright suggested that Austin Wells could be sent to the bench when Stanton returns, in order to keep Rice in the lineup every day.
“The emergence of Ben Rice this season has put Wells starting catching spot in jeopardy when Stanton returns to the lineup,” wrote Wright. “Wells is batting just .206 with a .708 OPS. Compare that to the .244 average and .856 OPS held by Rice and it’s not very hard to figure out who will get a majority of the playing time. If he is not able to turn things around in a hurry, Wells will go from the player that led off the Yankees season with a home run to a backup catcher that plays two games per week.”
Wells has started 41 games for the Yankees this year, all at catcher. However, the team will not be able to justify keeping him in the lineup when Stanton does return. He has been dealing with elbow injuries all year, but when he returns, he will bring a jolt of power back to the lineup.
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Stanton hit .233 last year but had 27 home runs. In the postseason, he had seven more home runs and helped carry the Yankees to the World Series. He is the active leader in career home runs and will claim an everyday role as soon as he’s ready.
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