Acce s the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. TAMPA Giancarlo Stantons became even more impre sive Sunday when Aaron Boone disclosed that he was playing through an injury at the time. The only problem is that a few months later, the Yankees slugger is still dealing with the i sue and it will have him starting spring training and potentially the season from behind. Stanton has the equivalent of tennis elbow (or tendinitis) in both elbows, Boone said on the day position players reported to camp to take their physicals, which could jeopardize his ability to start the season on time. We want to make sure were giving that as much time [as it needs], so well probably slow-play him a little bit, Boone said Sunday at Steinbrenner Field. Im expecting him to be OK, its just a matter of when we want to start really rolling it out to give us the best chance to get as much of him as we can. Giancarlo Stanton is dealing with an elbow injury. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Asked whether the injury could affect Stantons availability for the start of the season, Boone said it was tough to say. Im not going to put any timeline on it, Boone said. Were going to be smart with it and listen to it. Boone said Stanton dealt with the elbow i sues late last season and even in October, when the veteran DH put together a monster postseason by batting .273 with seven home runs and a 1.048 OPS in 14 games. Explore More The 35-year-old was then ramping up his activity in the offseason before shutting it down and getting treatment on his elbows. Its just something we dont want to rush, Boone said. If we can get to a really good spot and know were probably going to have to deal with some maintenance on it throughout the year. But dont want to force anything too early. This is something that if we were full bore in, wed be grinding away probably. Just want to make sure we give it the proper time and give ourselves the best position throughout the year. Trent Grisham is also starting camp a little behind after pulling Kirk Maltby Jersey a hamstring a few weeks ago while training, Boone said. The outfielder was running close to full speed on Sunday, but the Yankees will not push him at this point. But Stantons potential absence looms largest, as the Yankees are banking on him being a threat in the middle of a lineup that is already going to have to make up for the lo s of Juan Soto. Giancarlo Stantons Opening Day availability is in doubt. JASON SZENES/NEW YORK POST Stanton may be past his days as an MVP, but last year around a hamstring strain that sidelined him for five weeks he at least provided what Boone often described as a presence in the order while hitting 27 home runs with a .773 OPS acro s 114 games. The Yankees brought in Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt to help make up for Sotos absence, though a productive Stanton is just as important to that equation. If Aaron Judge bats second, as Boone said he was leaning toward, Stanton is likely to hit cleanup when healthy, of course. Is Giancarlo Stanton in danger of mi sing Opening Day after reporting to Yankees Spring Training with elbow injuries? has the latest from Tampa New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) Hes huge for us, Boone said. Especially us that are a little more left-handed right now, you take a big right-handed bat out of there, we get a little unbalanced. Hes big. And he was big for us in the regular season [last year]. What Aaron and Juan were doing was historic, but his presence in the middle was big. The Yankees are no strangers to Stanton mi sing time to the injured list, though typically it has been because of lower-body, soft-ti sue injuries. He reported to camp leaner last year in an attempt to avoid some of those injuries, but a year later, it is his elbows that are a cause for concern. Aaron Boone looks on at Yankees spring training on Feb. 13, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! There were no procedures or injections planned for Stanton, just time, as the clock begins to tick on Opening Day on March 27. I think its just something thats there, Boone said, and probably something thats chronic or guys that get that have to deal with on some level. J.t. Compher Jersey