Stanton to begin season on IL with injuries to both elbows

New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton will start the season on the injured list after receiving injections in both elbows, the club announced Saturday.

Stanton has been unable to participate in any baseball activities this spring after being diagnosed with an injury similar to tennis elbow, which led to receiving the platelet-rich plasma injections to help with healing.

"The biggest thing is getting him right, and if that costs us a little bit on the front end, so be it," manager Aaron Boone said, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. "I do feel like we'll get to a good spot with this. It’s a long year."

The 35-year-old has been away from Yankees camp because of a personal matter and had been scheduled to return to New York for further evaluation on his elbow issues.

The Yankees recently made contact with free-agent designated hitter J.D. Martinez, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Stanton has missed extensive time because of injuries throughout his MLB career. He hasn't appeared in more than 114 games in a season since 2021.

The five-time All-Star hit 27 home runs during the 2024 regular season and emerged as a postseason hero during New York's run to its first World Series appearance since 2009. Stanton belted seven home runs with 16 RBIs and was named ALCS MVP.