NEW YORK — With the way Giancarlo Stanton has been swinging the bat of late — and Aaron Judge relegated to a DH-only role as he recovers from his right flexor strain — the Yankees need to do everything they can to keep the slugger in the starting lineup.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone says Giancarlo Stanton is nearing a return to the outfield for the first time in nearly two years.

Will Giancarlo Stanton play the outfield in the Astros series to be in the lineup? Aaron Boone says it is likely.