Stanton, Urshela, Loaisiga return from IL

NEW YORK -- During a stint on the injured list that spanned more than five weeks, Giancarlo Stanton said that "words can't describe the disappointment" that he felt, and the Yankees slugger wouldn't blame fans for feeling the same. He's hoping to make up for it now.

Stanton was activated from the injured list on Tuesday, returning to the lineup for his first game since Aug. 8, when he sustained a left hamstring strain.

Third baseman Gio Urshela and right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga were also activated from the 10-day injured list, while outfielder Aaron Judge could join the active roster by the weekend.

"It adds some star power to the lineup," Yanks ace Gerrit Cole said. "Anytime you're an opposing pitcher and you read those names, you know that your mistakes need to be limited, especially when you face those guys in the order."

In corresponding moves, first baseman Mike Ford and infielder/outfielder Miguel Andújar were optioned to the team's alternate site.

Manager Aaron Boone said that Stanton would likely rest on Wednesday, then serve as the designated hitter again on Thursday and Friday, with the aim of preparing him to play three or four consecutive games.

"Hopefully he'll be able to build up properly and rack up a lot of at-bats, and most importantly, go out and help us win ballgames," Boone said.

Stanton batted .293 with three home runs, seven RBIs and a 1.038 OPS in 14 games. Urshela (right elbow bone spur) is hitting .272 with six home runs and 23 RBIs in 31 games.

Loaisiga hasn't pitched since Sept. 1 due to an undisclosed non-COVID medical condition. He has a 3.18 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 17 innings over eight appearances this season.

Quad city
Gleyber Torres was held out of the Yanks' lineup on Tuesday, and Boone revealed that the shortstop has been managing tightness in his left quadriceps.

Torres was not in Sunday's lineup, though he delivered a pinch-hit two-run double in the eighth inning, and received treatment during Monday's off-day.

"He wanted to be in there today," Boone said. "I just feel like this is something I don't want to become a bigger issue. We'll go day-by-day with him and make sure that it's out of there completely."

Boone said that Torres would be available off the bench on Tuesday, and that if it were the postseason, Torres would have been in the lineup.

"Keeping him healthy and playing every day for us in the final days and into the playoffs is very important," Boone said.

Comeback trail
Continuing to rehab at the Yanks' alternate training site on Tuesday, Judge had seven plate appearances in an intrasquad game, according to Conor Foley of the Scranton (Pa.) Times-Tribune.

Foley said that Judge was 2-for-6 with a single, a double, a walk, two strikeouts and two groundouts. Judge also had at least two opportunities in right field. Boone said that "there's a good chance" Judge will join the Yankees before their weekend series against the Red Sox.

"I'm confident it's imminent," Boone said.

This date in Yankees history
Sept. 15, 1926: Bob Meusel tied a still-standing Major League record with three sacrifice flies in the Yankees' 6-4 win at Cleveland's League Park. Don Mattingly is the most recent Yankee to accomplish the feat (May 3, 1986, vs. Texas).