New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton is on the injured list again, and New York is using the roster move to call up one of its top pitching prospects.
Manager Aaron Boone confirmed Monday night that an MRI revealed a low-grade right calf strain, which Stanton suffered Friday while running the bases in Houston. The Yankees held off on the IL move for several days before acting, but Boone said the results left little choice. He added that Stanton could potentially return when first eligible but did not want to set a firm timetable.
The move clears a roster spot for right-hander Elmer Rodríguez, a 22-year-old prospect who turned heads in spring training and at the World Baseball Classic. Boone confirmed on his weekly appearance on the Talkin’ Yanks podcast that Rodríguez will start April 29 against the Texas Rangers in his major-league debut. Will Warren, who had been listed as the probable starter, will be pushed back and is expected to start this weekend against the Baltimore Orioles.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder’s hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays’ Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk-off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team’s all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3-0, to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox’s home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Toronto Blue Jays’ Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cincinnati Reds’ Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The St. Louis Cardinals’ JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
Stanton, 36, is hitting .256 with three home runs and 14 RBIs through 24 games. He ranks among the league leaders in bat speed and exit velocity, but staying healthy has been a persistent issue. He has required at least one IL stint every season since 2018 and has not reached 500 plate appearances in a season since 2021. Stanton is under contract through 2027 with a team option for 2028.
Outfielder Jasson Domínguez was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday – initially as the corresponding move for Sunday’s optioning of Luis Gil – and went 1 for 4 as the designated hitter in New York’s 4-2 win over Texas.
With Stanton sidelined, the Yankees can give Domínguez the DH spot, at least against right-handed pitching. The switch-hitting Domínguez, who spent 2025 in the big leagues but was demoted to Triple-A this spring, has been significantly better batting from the left side in his career.
The roster math only gets trickier from here. Shortstop Anthony Volpe is expected back from the injured list this week, which will force another move. José Caballero has been the interim shortstop but will likely return to the utility role he has filled in the past. A veteran like Randal Grichuk, who is hitting .194 with no home runs in 33 plate appearances, could be in danger of losing his roster spot. Paul Goldschmidt has also gotten off to a slow start, but his track record should give him a longer leash.
Ben Rice, who has not caught this season, has been the primary first baseman and is tied with Aaron Judge for the team lead in home runs with 11. His emergence as a hitter complicates any arrangement that would make him a backup catcher.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giancarlo Stanton to IL opens door for Yankees’ top pitching prospect
