Yankees Slugger Giancarlo Stanton Reveals Debilitating Arm Pain Impacts Everyday Activities
New York Yankees star Giancarlo Stanton has made a startling admission about his physical condition while expressing optimism for the upcoming Major League Baseball season. The veteran slugger revealed that persistent pain in both arms has reached a point where it interferes with basic daily functions.
Simple Tasks Become Impossible Challenges
"I can't open a bottle," Stanton told NJ.com during an interview at Spring Training in Florida. "I can't open a bag of chips … a bag of anything. That's the way it is."
The five-time All-Star has been battling tennis elbow in both arms since 2024, and despite taking time off during the off-season, the condition has not improved as hoped. Stanton acknowledged that recovery seems unlikely while he continues his professional baseball career.
"That'll never be the case," Stanton said when asked about potential recovery. "Not while I'm in this line of work. You have your good days and bad days, just like your mood and everything."
Injury History and Performance Impact
Stanton's injury struggles have been a recurring theme since he joined the Yankees in a blockbuster trade from the Miami Marlins. After playing 158 games in his debut 2018 season with New York, his availability has significantly decreased:
- Has appeared in just 56.4% of regular-season games since 2019
- Played more than 110 games only twice in the past seven seasons
- Missed the first 70 games of the 2025 season while rehabbing his elbow
Despite these challenges, Stanton demonstrated impressive performance when healthy last season. After making his 2025 debut on June 16, he posted:
- A .273 batting average (his best since 2021)
- 24 home runs and 66 RBIs in 281 plate appearances
- 11.7 plate appearances per home run (matching his 2017 MVP season rate)
Surgical Options and Recovery Approach
Surgery was considered as an option early last year, but Stanton expressed skepticism about its effectiveness for someone in his profession.
"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," he explained. "That's not going to be fixed in surgery and I don't care what any doctor says because they don't know what's going on."
Instead, Stanton has focused on rehabilitation and managing the condition while maintaining his competitive edge.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Despite the ongoing pain and physical limitations, Stanton remains determined to contribute to the Yankees' success. "That doesn't matter," he said about his injury struggles. "The key is get in the box. My last year, overall numbers were low. I want a full season."
The Yankees are understandably taking a cautious approach with their star player during Spring Training. Stanton has yet to appear in a preseason game, but reports suggest he could make his debut as early as March 3, with the team monitoring his condition closely.
As the 2026 MLB season approaches, Stanton's ability to manage his persistent elbow pain while maintaining his powerful hitting will be crucial to both his personal success and the Yankees' championship aspirations. His candid revelation about the extent of his discomfort highlights the physical toll that professional baseball takes on even its most talented athletes.
