Giancarlo Stanton, the New York Yankees’ designated hitter, reacts after hitting a home run against Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ryan Brasier during the third inning of game five of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

With Opening Day just days away, the New York Yankees are facing a challenging spring marred by significant injuries. The most severe is to AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, whose UCL injury will keep him out for the entire season. However, the offensive side of the game has been tough too.

Stanton, the Yankees’ most productive player in last year’s playoffs, has also been struggling. What began as elbow tendonitis quickly escalated into severe pain, preventing him from swinging a bat for an entire month before spring training. Despite undergoing multiple rounds of PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections, surgery is now being considered as an option.

In a new report by Jon Heyman of the New York Post (subscription required), a potential cause for Stanton’s injury has surfaced, and if true, it could anger Yankees fans. According to Heyman, Stanton was advised to switch bats last year, but the person who made this recommendation is no longer with the Yankees.

While it’s still uncertain whether the bat switch directly caused the injury, it remains a point of speculation. Regardless of the cause, the Yankees’ main focus is getting Stanton back on the field.

During the Yankees’ World Series run, Stanton was a dominant force, posting a .273/.339/.709 slash line, hitting seven home runs, driving in 16 RBI, and earning ALCS MVP honors. However, since his standout 2021 season, Stanton has struggled with frequent injuries, missing almost a full season over the past three years due to various issues.

With the team needing to fill the gap left by Juan Soto and keep their season on track, a healthy Stanton was crucial. Now, with his return uncertain, there’s no clear timeline for when, or even if, he will be able to contribute to the team. And it seems that the root of the problem may be linked to his decision to switch bats last season.