Aaron Judge has been placed on the New York Yankees’ 10-day injured list retroactive to Saturday due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, sidelining their captain and outfielder. Because the injury affects his throwing arm, Judge will be unable to play in the outfield and is expected to return as the designated hitter, leading to Giancarlo Stanton shifting to the outfield despite his injury history.

Although Stanton has not played in the outfield since 2023 and has had injury issues, former Marlins president David Samson expressed confidence in Stanton’s willingness and ability to adapt to the new role, minimizing concerns about the transition.

David Samson Highlights Stanton’s Team-First Mentality Compared to Rafael Devers

On his podcast, Samson contrasted Giancarlo Stanton’s attitude with that of Rafael Devers regarding positional flexibility. He emphasized Stanton’s commitment to winning above personal comfort or financial considerations, suggesting Stanton will accept any role necessary to help the Yankees succeed.

“He’s no Rafael Devers,” Samson said on his “Nothing Personal with David Samson” podcast on Monday (Timestamp: 59:29). “Giancarlo Stanton will do whatever you want in order to win because that’s what he wants more than anything. Once you get the money, he wanted to win before he got paid. He wants to win after he got paid. He wants to win.”

“When he’s asked to go play right field, what do you think? ‘Hey, I’m not playing right field. I’m a DH. I haven’t played right field since 2023.’ Give me a break. When Aaron Boone says, ‘Get your glove,’ G gets his glove.”

Samson referenced Rafael Devers’ past refusal to play first base with the Boston Red Sox, pointing to that hesitation as a critical factor that led to Devers being traded to the San Francisco Giants. This comparison underlines Samson’s belief that Stanton’s approach contrasts sharply with Devers’ previous conflicts over positional assignments.

Samson Urges Yankees to Prioritize Judge’s Recovery Over Pressure to Return

While Judge is projected to miss up to two weeks before resuming duty as a designated hitter and eventually returning to the outfield, Samson advised that the team’s leadership should disregard any reluctance from Judge or other players to go on the injured list. He stressed the importance of strict adherence to medical protocols to avoid worsening injuries.

“When players tell you they don’t want to go on the IL, we ignore it,” Samson said (Timestamp: 1:00:03). “Don’t care what you say. When you’ve got a flexor strain, you’re going on the IL. You’re not going to tempt the manager. You’re not going to tempt the player. You’re not going to tempt the situation.”

“The situation where, hey, this is when Aaron Judge needs to hit. This is when Aaron Judge needs to play. You cannot tempt it. So, you put the player on the IL and that’s the end of the discussion.”

Implications for AL MVP Race Amidst Judge’s Absence

Judge’s time on the injured list has shifted the dynamics of the American League MVP competition for 2025. Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has emerged as the current favorite in the odds, though Samson cautioned against prematurely writing off Judge’s chances. He suggested that while Raleigh’s prospect appears stronger now, Judge remains a significant contender once healthy.

This injury and lineup adjustment highlight the precarious position the Yankees face heading into the season, relying on Stanton’s flexibility and Judge’s recovery to maintain their competitive edge. The team’s management must navigate these challenges carefully to keep their roster effective moving forward.