When the Yankees gathered for spring training last season, they weren't sure what Giancarlo Stanton could phsically offer them. The veteran slugger immediately revealed he had bilateral tennis elbow, which forced him to miss weeks of camp and kept him on the injured list until mid-June.
It's been exactly one year since Stanton shared that news, and while careful treatment on his chronic elbows remains essential, he's entering his age-36 season with a clean bill of health and no restrictions to his activity levels.
"Ready to go. Ready for good work this spring and good build-up," Stanton said on Tuesday. "[The elbow pain isn't] going anywhere, there's always maintenance. But it didn't hinder me from any work, and that's what's most important. I feel good, I'm moving around well."
Just like last season, the Yankees aren't counting on Stanton to be an everyday player. He's their part-time designated hitter, and any level of production from him at the plate will be a welcomed sight -- this was even the case before 2025 started.
But the Yankees can still picture a world in which Stanton delivers quality at-bats and clutch power. After all, he slashed .273/.350/.594 with 24 home runs and 66 RBI in just 77 games last season. He also started 18 games in the outfield.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he isn't planning to play Stanton in early Grapefruit League games, but he's excited to see the former ALCS MVP return to action soon and make an impact when called upon.
"Good winter. He's always in good shape, but looks really good to me," Boone said. "Real lean, jumping in all the drills, ready to go right now. Feel like we're in a good spot with him... He's full-go and looks good to me."
Last September, Stanton became the 41st player in MLB history to register 450 career homers, and the fifth-fastest player to achieve the feat (1,719 games). He's also just the sixth player to hit No. 450 in pinstripes, and his current mark ranks highest among active hitters.
Stanton needs 47 more long balls to join the 500 homers club and make a compelling Hall of Fame case. But the milestone isn't a priority for him at the moment -- he's focused on hitting No. 454 first, and hopefully several more after that.
"Numbers like the next one and the next one are good for now," Stanton said. "Those numbers, like 500, it's the same as, we're going to win the World Series right now. You've got each day to do work and improve and do something positive. That's the way I'm looking at it."
Aaron Judge looks on as Giancarlo Stanton takes BP pic.twitter.com/sLHQ4PEk0w
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) February 16, 2026