The 71st game of the Yankees’ season might have ended in a loss, but that’s not the headline fans will remember because star DH Giancarlo Stanton made his much-awaited first appearance of the season.

After 70 games without him, Giancarlo Stanton finally was back in the middle of the Yankees’ suddenly flailing lineup.

Giancarlo Stanton got two hits in his season debut for the Yankees against the Los Angeles Angels after missing New York’s first 70 games because of inflammation in the tendons of both elbows

NEW YORK — Giancarlo Stanton’s return 71 games into the Yankees’ season Monday night wasn’t instant gratification for an offense that leads the American League in runs scored, hitting and homers but is colder than it’s been all season.

Giancarlo Stanton, the reigning ALCS MVP, is one step closer to rejoining the New York Yankees. Stanton will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with the Double-A Somerset Patriots on Tuesday, the team announced. He has not yet played this season due to what amounts to tennis elbow in both elbows.

New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton is expected to return from his elbow injury during the team’s series against the Los Angeles Angels, according to manager Aaron Boone, per MLB's Bryan Hoch.

Unfortunately for the Yankees, Stanton’s return did not reinvigorate an offense that scored just four times over three games.

Stanton’s return adds pressure to an already tight lineup puzzle. Manager Aaron Boone has said Ben Rice will see time at first base, catcher, and DH. Paul Goldschmidt is in that rotation, too. He and Jasson Dominguez were out of the lineup Monday night.

BOSTON — With Giancarlo Stanton not expected at Fenway Park this weekend, Aaron Boone said the Yankees are targeting their upcoming series against the Angels for the slugger’s 2025 debut. “I expect him, in some way, shape or form, in the Angels series, to be in play,” Boone said Saturday.

Yankees veteran infielder scores Thursday then gets DFA’d with Stanton set to return originally appeared on Athlon Sports.