Yankees News: Giancarlo Stanton Active After Missing 72 Games with Knee Injury

Giancarlo Stanton is the latest star player to return to action for the New York Yankees this week as they continue their push toward the postseason.

Stanton is hitting fifth in the lineup and playing left field Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels after missing 72 games with a knee injury.

Stanton spent nearly three months on the injured list with a sprained PCL in his right knee suffered during New York's June 25 game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rather than try to squeeze Stanton into a rehab assignment with their Double-A team during the minor league playoffs, the Yankees had the 2017 National League MVP work out at their training facility in Tampa, Florida, last week.

Starting pitcher Luis Severino made his first appearance for the Yankees this season during Tuesday's 8-0 win over the Angels. The right-hander tossed four shutout innings with four strikeouts and two walks.

Manager Aaron Boone told reporters the Yankees could take a cautious approach with Stanton: "I may build him up a little bit. I may play him a handful of innings, things like that, especially with the rosters being what you have here in the month of September. He’s been getting after it, really, for a good while now."

Injuries have cost Stanton virtually the entire 2019 season. He suffered a biceps injury during the first series of the year that kept him out for 68 games. The four-time All-Star returned June 18 and played six games before hurting his knee.

In nine games, Stanton has a .290/.421/.419 slash line with one home run.

The Yankees are tied with the Houston Astros for the best record in MLB (99-53). They can clinch the AL East on Wednesday with a win over the Angels or a Tampa Bay Rays loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.