Giancarlo Stanton's latest tennis elbow statement will concern Yankees fans

New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton has yet to make a Spring Training appearance. 

Yankees manager Aaron Boone and the organization are taking a precautionary approach to Stanton's health for the upcoming season. The slugger played just 77 games last season due to lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) in both arms. 

The 36-year-old has become a poor defender, and previous lower-body injuries make it hard for Stanton to run the bases. However, the Yankees know that he can mean the difference between winning and losing a series, based on his incredible performance in the 2024 ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians. 

Stanton 'can't open a bag of chips' because of tennis elbow 

Stanton has previously stated that his tennis elbow issue is something he will have to monitor and play through for the rest of his career. But we didn't know it was this serious. 

“I can’t open a bottle,” Stanton told NJ.com's Randy Miller about trying to do everyday activities while handling his injury. “I can’t open a bag of chips … a bag of anything. That’s the way it is.”

Stanton is MLB's active career home run leader with 453, 47 away from 500. He opted not to get surgery to make sure he was back on the field as soon as possible. 

“You get the surgery, and you can go back to being in the general population in a few months, but my job is to put some of the most force into a batted ball,” Stanton told Miller.

Fans in New York will hold their breath during the spring, hoping a healthy Stanton walks away from from George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla.

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