Giancarlo Stanton expected to return in September

A return during the regular season appears to be very much in play for New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman said Thursday that the team expects the former MVP to be able to return in September, per Lindsey Adler of The Athletic.

Stanton has appeared in a mere nine games for the Yankees all season. He strained his calf early in the year and then suffered a PCL strain in his right knee just days after returning to the lineup following the calf issue.

In his absence (plus those of many of their other stars), the Yankees have still managed to go an AL-best 81-41 and lead their division by a full ten games. Stanton will obviously have an eye towards getting right before the playoffs, especially in light of the trash talk that he had for his former team.