Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton has 2 hits, 3 RBIs as he starts rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton had a pair of singles and three RBIs for Double-A Somerset on Tuesday night in his first game this year, and New York manager Aaron Boone said that it was too early to tell when the slugger might return to the big leagues.

Stanton had been sidelined since before spring training because of severe tendon injuries to both of his elbows. But he has been ramping up his work at the Yankees' player development complex and Boone 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 before the Yankees opened a three-game series against the Royals with a 10-2 win.

“Just kind of taking these two-day increments,” Boone said.

Stanton had a two-run single in the fifth inning off David Sandlin and a RBI single in the seventh against Zach Bryant in the Patriots' 8-1 win over Boston's Portland Sea Dogs. The designated hitter also grounded out and walked as part of a 2-for-3 night.

The 35-year-old appeared in 114 games last season, hitting .233 with 27 homers and 72 RBIs. 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.”

Stanton has not played a full season since 2018, the first year after New York acquired him from the Miami Marlins. Entering 2025, he had missed 294 of 870 games in the previous six seasons (34%)

In other injury news, right-hander Marcus Stroman also 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.”

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New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is seen prior to a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

CINCINNATI (AP) — After opening the season as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Flacco will close the season as the backup for the Bengals as they face the Browns on Sunday.

Flacco was dealt to the Bengals in October and made six starts for the Bengals while Joe Burrow was out with a toe injury.

“I don’t really think about putting a label on it,” Flacco said. “It’s crazy. Seasons always go by quick once they’ve started. But the way that this one went, it seems like it flew by.”

During the summer, in Cleveland Browns training camp, Flacco won a competition for the starting quarterback job and made four starts for Cleveland. In Week 1 against the Bengals, Flacco threw for 290 yards.

He said that over the past 17 weeks, he has seen improvement from the Bengals defense. Now, he refers to the Bengals defense as his team’s defense.

“We’re stopping the run,” Flacco said. “We’re getting more pressure on the quarterback. When you combine those two things, it’s going to help you out.”

While Flacco went 1-5 as a starter in Cincinnati, the 40-year-old played well. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals offense averaged more than 27 points per game.

Flacco said that he developed a lot of respect for Bengals coach Zac Taylor.

“He has a lot of strengths,” Flacco said. “He’s really good at what he does. His demeanor, his overall personality and the way he leads men is really good. The way he puts game plans together. Also, he’s willing to allow it to be collaborative. That’s a strength. His game day play-calling is also something he does really well.”

Burrow took over as the starter when he returned on Thanksgiving, and Flacco has been the backup over the past month.

Flacco will be a free agent again at the end of the season. As he evaluates his options, he’s hoping to find another chance to play and to start.

“That’s always a priority,” Flacco said. “I’m somebody who wants to play football. You’ve got to assess and see whatever is thrown your way. You have to go from there and see what you can do about it.”

He said that he’d be open to returning to the Bengals, but he’ll weigh several factors.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Flacco said. “I don’t hope to do anything. I have an idea of maybe of what some goals would be. I’ll go from there and see what happens.”

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco throws during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)