Yankees reinstate Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and Tommy Kahnle from IL ahead of series vs. Dodgers – The Denver Post

The Yankees are inching closer to full strength. The Bombers officially reinstated Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and Tommy Kahnle off the injured list Thursday ahead of their three-game set at Dodger Stadium.

Stanton played in just 13 games this season before suffering a hamstring strain running into second base on a double against the Twins on April 15. The 33-year-old is slashing .269/.296/.558 with four homers and 11 RBI. Manager Aaron Boone said he plans to utilize Stanton in the outfield upon his return.

“I thought he looked really good moving around in the outfield yesterday,” Boone said on May 13. “He did a lot of defensive work out there… I would like to [continue playing him in the outfield]. I keep maintaining that when he’s able to do that, I think it’s better for him.”

Donaldson, however, returns with some uncertainty as the Bombers’ infield logjam is at full swing. The third baseman strained his hamstring on April 5 and has played in just five games this season. DJ LeMahieu has played the majority of the innings (319.1) at third base in his absence and Donaldson’s return means the Yanks again have three infielders for two spots (second and third base) with the two veterans and Gleyber Torres.

The 37-year-old is slashing .125/.176/.313 with one homer on the year. With LeMahieu struggling (.705 OPS) playing time could be the least of Donaldson’s worries should he produce at the plate.

Kahnle has yet to appear in a game in 2023. The right-hander inked a two-year, $11.5 million deal with the Yanks this past offseason and has been on the injured list to this point with biceps tendinitis.

The 33-year-old was traded from the White Sox to the Yankees in 2017 and he remained in pinstripes through 2020. However, Tommy John surgery kept him off the field in 2021 and he returned last season to the team that he will be playing this coming weekend. Kahnle recorded a 2.84 ERA in 13 appearances for the Dodgers last season.

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