Giancarlo Stanton’s Return to Field Not Likely This Season Due to Scar Tissue
Miami Marlins’ Giancarlo (Bigfoot) Stanton was hoping to make a late return this season, but that looks highly unlikely now, as Miami Herald’s Clark Spencer reported that the slugger has an “abnormal amount” of scar tissue in his wrist following the surgery he underwent in July.
25-year-old Stanton has been out since June 26 after fracturing his hamate bone on a swing. Stanton’s recovery has taken longer than expected. The hamate bone is one of eight carpal bones at the base of the wrist. It is one of the more rare wrist fractures, occurring in just two to six percent of all carpal fractures.
Stanton was having a banner year before sustaining the wrist injury. In 74 games this season, he had 67 RBI’s, hit .265 with a .346 on-base percentage, a .606 slugging percentage, 12 doubles, and 27 home runs (which still holds seventh in the National League).
The Marlins have not faired too well without Stanton’s production this season, as they have been eliminated from playoffs with 64 wins and 83 losses. Notwithstanding, Stanton’s absence is more than just a loss in skill for the Marlins, as he is one of, if not the most entertaining of hitters to watch in the Majors.
At this point, the Marlins’ best bet is just to pull Stanton to avoid any long-term injury, considering they’ve already invested $325 million in the three-time All-Star over 13 years. As their franchise is experiencing especially struggling times, the one thing they can’t afford to lose is their MVP, who is ideally suited to build a playoff team around.