Yankees get Stanton back on cusp of clinching AL East

Giancarlo Stanton has returned to the Yankees lineup with New York on the cusp of clinching a division title.

Stanton will bat fifth and play left field on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Angels. He has been out since June 25 after straining the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He's played just nine games this season due to knee issues and is returning with 12 days remaining in the regular season.

New York can lock up the AL East by beating the Angels or with a loss by Tampa Bay.

Stanton is hitting .290 with one home run and seven RBIs. The 29-year-old, in his second season with the Yankees, had been working out at the team's minor league complex in Tampa, Florida.

Stanton will be used at designated hitter and in left field. New York has rotated a number of players through the latter, especially since Mike Tauchman strained his left calf this month. Tauchman was expected to miss six to eight weeks.

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