As far as opportune timing goes, Giancarlo Stanton’s return to the Yankees’ lineup is right on schedule.
Shortly after the Yankees reinstated the slugger from the 60-day injured list, Stanton hit fifth and started in left field during Wednesday night’s 3-2 loss to the Angels at Yankee Stadium.
The 29-year-old outfielder didn’t miss a beat in his first at-bat in nearly three months, stroking a leadoff double to deep left-center field in the second inning.
Manager Aaron Boone told reporters before the game he planned to remove Stanton — who had been sidelined since June 25 with a strained posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee — after a handful of at-bats.