Stanton to make Yankees return Tuesday

Some thunder is about to rejoin the New York Yankees in the coming days.

Outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton will return to his team's lineup on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Sunday, including ESPN's Coley Harvey.

Stanton has been on the injured list since April 1 with multiple issues, including a left biceps strain, a left shoulder strain, and tightness in his calf.

During his recent rehab assignment, the slugger hit five home runs and drove in eight.

The 29-year-old appeared in just three games this season before hitting the IL. He crushed 38 home runs and recorded 100 RBIs in 2018, his debut campaign with the Yankees.

Newly acquired Edwin Encarnacion is also expected to join the Yankees this week, and he should be with the team on Monday, Boone said. That means Stanton could be moved to the outfield, and Encarnacion will likely become the Yankees' primary DH, Boone added.

"I haven't spoken to G in the last 24 hours, but he obviously played left field last night down there," Boone said of Stanton rehabbing in the minors. "We'll have those conversations and look forward to getting him back early next week."

Boone also said that over the next several days, the Yankees could add Stanton, Encarnacion, and Aaron Judge - who's rehabbing from an oblique injury at Triple-A - to an already dangerous lineup that features Gary Sanchez, Luke Voit, and Didi Gregorius.