Fans are excited to see Giancarlo Stanton back on the field, but his New York Yankees teammate Aaron Judge had something cheeky to say. Stanton is recovering from an injury and played his first rehab game recently. But it wasn’t just his performance that caught attention—it was Judge’s playful comment that stirred conversation.
Aaron Judge teases Giancarlo Stanton after his minor league performance in New Jersey
On Tuesday, June 4, 2025, Giancarlo Stanton had his first rehabilitation game with the Somerset Patriots in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. Double-A affiliates of the New York Yankees are the Somerset Patriots. The 35-year-old was put on the injured list in March of this year and has been out since October 2024 with an elbow injury. Stanton had four plate appearances in the game against the Portland Sea Dogs (a minor league team of the Boston Red Sox). Walked in the third inning; grounded out in first at-bat. Then, he hit two strong singles that helped drive in three runs. One of those hits bounced off the center field fence and brought in two runs. The next at-bat added another RBI. He also played just ahead of top Yankees prospects George Lombard Jr. and Spencer Jones.After hearing about Stanton’s performance, Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ captain, made a funny remark: “Only singles?” His tone was light, but the message was clear—Judge is expecting big home runs from his teammate. This playful jab came just before Stanton’s next scheduled rehab appearance on Wednesday, June 5.Also Read: Aaron Judge Just Ended 2017 Andrew Benintendi Debate With One Legendary Statline
Giancarlo Stanton’s return date still unclear, but Aaron Boone gives hope
Yankees manager Aaron Boone spoke after their 10-2 win against Kansas City on Tuesday. He said Stanton is improving fast but doesn’t have a fixed return date yet. Boone said, “Stanton just needs to feel ready. He’s already had many at-bats, even before starting his rehab games.”Boone added that Stanton’s physical recovery is going well and that he’s hitting the ball hard again. The final decision will be made by both the player and the team.Stanton last played in the 2024 World Series, where the Yankees lost to the Dodgers. He was their best hitter during that postseason, with seven home runs and 16 RBIs. With his return approaching, fans and teammates like Judge are keeping a close eye—expecting more than just singles.
