Giancarlo Stanton’s recent health update has left both fans and former teammates puzzled as he claims to be ready for a full baseball season despite struggling with simple daily tasks. The Yankees slugger revealed ongoing difficulties with his elbows, creating uncertainty around his preparedness for the upcoming season as Opening Day approaches in New York.
Stanton’s situation has drawn attention due to his struggle with bilateral epicondylitis, a condition affecting both of his elbows. Despite missing the first 70 games of the 2025 season, he returned mid-year to hit 24 home runs in 77 games, showing flashes of his former power-hitting ability. However, his latest admission that he cannot even open a bag of chips contrasts sharply with his claim that he’s ready to swing at 100 mph fastballs throughout an entire season, prompting confusion among observers including former Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier.
Former Teammate Publicly Questions Stanton’s Contradictions
Clint Frazier expressed his bafflement over Stanton’s health updates during a discussion on his YouTube channel. Frazier highlighted the contradiction between Stanton’s limited daily functionality and his ambitious plans to play a full season at maximum effort.
“Some of those quotes are kind of contradicting in regards to can’t open up a bag of chips but want to play a full season. And I don’t really know how swinging the bat like this is going to get you a not like I don’t even know,”
Frazier admitted.
He went further, stating,
“I don’t even know what I’m talking about because I’m confused. But I don’t know how swinging the bat like this is easier than opening up a bag of chips.”
This uncertainty reflects the broader concerns within baseball circles about Stanton’s true physical readiness and the risks involved with his current approach to managing the injury.
Stanton Chooses Pain Management Over Surgery
Stanton has openly discussed living with bilateral epicondylitis, a notoriously challenging condition for any athlete but especially troublesome for a power hitter like himself. Rather than opting for surgery despite medical advice, Stanton has decided to manage the pain to continue playing. He remarked,
“That’s not going to be fixed in surgery,”
emphasizing his strategy to endure rather than correct the problem surgically.
Stanton explained his mindset further:
“The key is get in the box… I want a full season,”
showing his determination to remain active for the entire schedule. This decision places both Stanton and the Yankees in a difficult position considering his fully guaranteed contract still extends for two more years amid ongoing health doubts.
Career Context and Impact on Yankees’ Championship Hopes
Stanton is now in his ninth season with the Yankees, who are still in pursuit of their first championship ring during his tenure. His exceptional performance in 2024, including four home runs in the American League Championship Series, earned him the ALCS MVP award, though his World Series showing afterward fell short. His .594 slugging percentage last year indicated that when healthy, Stanton remains a formidable offensive weapon.
Nonetheless, the severity and persistence of his elbow issues make it difficult to predict how long he can sustain playing at a high level. As spring training progresses, the Yankees face mounting pressure to have Stanton fully ready while balancing his ongoing discomfort and refusal to undergo surgery.
World Baseball Classic Participation Adds to Yankees’ Spring Struggles
Adding complexity to spring preparations, twelve Yankees players will participate in the World Baseball Classic representing six different countries. This international commitment further complicates the team’s return to full strength, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Stanton’s availability due to his injury.
The Yankees’ top players heading to Team USA include Aaron Judge, David Bednar, and Paul Goldschmidt. Other Yankees have aligned with the Dominican Republic—Austin Wells, Amed Rosario, and Camilo Doval—while Puerto Rico will feature Elmer Rodriguez and Fernando Cruz. Additionally, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Brendan Beck will represent Great Britain, with Jose Caballero competing for Panama and Harrison Cohen playing for Team Israel.
Notably, Cohen made an impression with a 1.57 ERA at Triple-A last season, even if he remains less known to fans. The widespread participation overseas means the Yankees’ coaching staff will need to carefully monitor each player’s workload upon their return to avoid burnout or injury before the regular season.
Yankees Face Open-Ended Challenges Ahead
The Yankees’ spring training faces particular hurdles as they await clarity on Stanton’s health and work to reintegrate players returning from international play. The designated hitter role is especially uncertain, given Stanton’s elbow condition and his unpredictable availability. New York’s championship aspirations hinge on balancing these challenges and having the team’s core roster healthy and ready for Opening Day.
As the season nears, all eyes will be on Stanton and his ability to manage pain while maintaining performance, with the rest of the roster recovering from the taxing World Baseball Classic. The coming months will determine whether Stanton’s optimistic outlook aligns with his physical reality, and if the Yankees can rally around their veteran slugger in pursuit of a title.
