Giancarlo Stanton has faced an offseason battle tougher than any pitcher he’s ever gone up against. The New York Yankees’ power-hitting star has been dealing with torn tendons in both elbows—an injury so severe that even simple tasks, like lifting a coffee mug, have felt like a major challenge.
After undergoing three rounds of PRP injections, Stanton is finally beginning to see progress, though the pain hasn’t fully subsided.
A Costly Adjustment
During spring training, Stanton admitted that his elbow issues didn’t just come out of nowhere. He believes changes he made to his swing last season played a significant role in the injuries.
While Stanton didn’t reveal the exact details, it’s evident that whatever adjustments he made placed significant strain on his arms. Given the incredible bat speed he generates, even the smallest mechanical tweak can lead to major consequences.
Shutting Down the Torpedo Bat Rumors
With torpedo bats—barrel-heavy models designed to maximize power—gaining popularity, speculation arose that Stanton’s swing modifications involved switching to one of these trending bats. Reporters quickly jumped on the theory, but the Yankees’ slugger wasted no time shutting it down.
“You’re not going to get the story you’re looking for,” Stanton told the media, according to Bryan Hoch on X. In other words, the torpedo bat theory was dead before it even started.
Giancarlo Stanton was asked if torpedo bats were the "bat adjustments" he said may have contributed to his elbow injuries.
"You're not going to get the story you're looking for, so if that's what you guys want, that isn't going to happen."
Stanton said he will use a torpedo…
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) April 1, 2025
A Nightmare Scenario for Pitchers
Despite his elbow troubles, Stanton is determined to stick with the torpedo bat when he makes his return. For opposing pitchers, that’s about as reassuring as spotting a shark fin in open water. Even last season, using a standard bat, he still crushed 27 home runs and recorded a 116 wRC+.
More importantly, he became an unstoppable force in the postseason, leading the Yankees all the way to the World Series.
Now, with his return approaching and a new bat in his arsenal, one thing is certain—when he steps back into the batter’s box, pitchers will be on high alert.
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