Stanton (elbows) to begin season on IL, clouding Yanks' DH picture

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton will begin the season on the injured list after receiving platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in his elbows this past week, the club announced on Saturday.

Stanton has been unable to swing a bat since mid-January due to pain in both elbows. He departed for New York on Feb. 24, attending to a matter that the Yankees said was “private in nature,” and is expected to return to camp at some point in the next week.

Yankees captain Aaron Judge said he has spoken to Stanton, whom he described as “definitely frustrated.”

“It’s going to be tough, because you can’t replace a guy like him,” Judge said. “Just besides the numbers he’s going to put up, there is the fear factor; you’ve got No. 27 lurking on deck behind you. It kind of always helps you out.”

New York manager Aaron Boone said, considering Stanton’s injury and his ongoing absence, the 35-year-old veteran no longer has enough time to be ready for the March 27 season opener against the Brewers.

“The biggest thing is getting him right, and if that costs us a little bit on the front end, so be it,” Boone said. “I do feel like we’ll get to a good spot with this. It’s a long year.”

Stanton’s injury raises the question of who will serve as the Yankees’ designated hitter, an issue that grew murkier on Saturday when infielder DJ LeMahieu tweaked his left calf in the Yankees’ 9-3 Grapefruit League victory over the Astros.

Stanton was a postseason force for the Bombers last October, which included being named the MVP of the American League Championship Series against the Guardians.

During the regular season, Stanton posted a .233/.298/.475 slash line with 20 doubles, 27 homers and 72 RBIs in 114 games. He missed approximately a month with a left hamstring strain.

With Stanton unavailable, Judge could see increased turns in the designated hitter role, as he did when Stanton went on the IL last summer. That could create a defensive alignment in which Trent Grisham plays center field, Cody Bellinger moves to right field and Jasson Domínguez plays left field.

“I’m good with whatever you’ve got to do, because I know we’ve got a lot of good outfield options,” Judge said. “So [maybe] that opens up a chance for Grisham, who’s been swinging the bat well on the back fields, to maybe get some more playing time. Or maybe move Cody over to right for a little bit; whatever we’ve got to do to help the team win.

“You can’t really replace Stanton, his production and what he does -- having somebody like that in the middle of the lineup. But I’m open. Boonie always communicates well with me on what his plan is and what he wants to do.”

Boone said the DH decision will ultimately depend on the roster's makeup and individual pitching matchups. He does see a potential benefit in giving Judge half-days, particularly early in the season.

“But I also value Aaron’s defense in the outfield, especially when he’s physically in a really good spot,” Boone said. “So we’ll see; I’ll pick my spots.”

In the wake of Stanton’s injury, the Yankees reportedly have had contact with free-agent slugger J.D. Martinez, who slashed .235/.320/.406 with 16 homers and 69 RBIs in 120 games for the Mets last year. Other DH options in camp include catcher/first baseman Ben Rice, outfielder Everson Pereira, catcher/infielder J.C. Escarra and first baseman/outfielder Dom Smith.

“We’ve got a lot of good options here,” Judge said. “Maybe it will open some spots for some guys to get quality at-bats for us early on in the season.”