Giancarlo Stanton had two hits and three RBIs in his first rehab appearance for Double-A Somerset on Tuesday night.
Stanton, who's missed the entire big league season because of severe tendon injuries to both of his elbows, served as the designated hitter against the Portland Sea Dogs, the Red Sox's affiliate. Batting second, the Yankees slugger had a walk, a groundout, a two-RBI single and an RBI single before being replaced after the seventh inning as Somerset cruised, 8-1, in Bridgewater, N.J.
Earlier Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri, where New York opened a three-game series against the Royals, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said it was too early to tell when Stanton might return to the big leagues but was optimistic the rehab assignment will not be long.
"He's playing tonight. Probably play tomorrow. And then we'll see about Thursday, if he plays again or what we want to do through the weekend," Boone said.
"Just kind of taking these two-day increments," Boone said.
The 35-year-old Stanton only appeared in 114 games last season, but he hit .233 with 27 homers and 72 RBI. He was at his best in the playoffs, when he hit seven homers over 14 games and was voted the MVP of the AL Championship Series.
"For him, it's just getting his body built up and him being in a position to where he knows he's had enough at-bats and enough reps to be game-ready, to be season-ready," Boone said. "And he's had a pretty big ramp-up. He's had a lot of at-bats already, even going into his rehab start tonight. So, just making sure he's had the necessary reps and feels really good."
In other injury news, right-hander Marcus Stroman is expected to make a rehab appearance for Somerset on Wednesday as he works his way back from left knee inflammation that has sidelined him since a start April 11 against the Giants.
Jake Cousins was pulled off his rehab assignment after the right-hander felt something amiss in his right elbow.
Cousins, who has been dealing with a strained right forearm, underwent an MRI exam, Boone said, and the plan was to visit with Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad in the hopes of determining exactly what went wrong.
The reliever made six appearances for New York in the playoffs last season.
"I mean, considering he was into his rehab and build-up and now to feel something with the elbow, it's concerning," Boone said. "But again, I don't want to overreact. We don't have any information."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.