Stanton has slashed .270/.343/.532 with 10 homers since returning to the Yankees' lineup, so the team can hardly afford losing his bat as it looks to right the ship. At the same time, it can't afford more defensive miscues, and it isn't clear if Stanton can really handle a defensive role, pain tolerance notwithstanding.

In the interim, the Yankees will likely continue with an outfield of Jasson Domínguez in left, Trent Grisham in center and Cody Bellinger in right on most days — though on Monday they had Austin Slater in left and Amed Rosario in right, stacking their lineup with right-handed bats against Rangers lefty Patrick Corbin.