Stanton homers twice in Tampa rehab game

Giancarlo Stanton is hitting like he's ready to get back in the Yankees' lineup.

The New York slugger homered in a second straight rehab game for Class A Advanced Tampa on Wednesday, hitting two after going 2-for-4 with an opposite-field shot on Tuesday. Batting second against Fort Myers starter Jordan Balazovic, the Twins' No. 19 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Stanton struck out on three pitches in the first inning. But then he hit a line-drive homer to center to lead off the third and added a two-run shot to right in the fifth.

"I felt good, my timing's getting there," Stanton said in a postgame interview streamed on the Tampa Tarpons' Twitter feed. "I think I'll play through the weekend in the Minors, and then hopefully get back [to the Majors] next week."

Stanton (and maybe fellow Bomber Aaron Judge, too) could return to the Yankees during their next homestand, as manager Aaron Boone said on The Michael Kay Show between games of Tuesday's Subway Series doubleheader.

The Yankees are on the road for four games against the White Sox from Thursday through Sunday -- during which time Stanton could continue his rehab stint at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre -- then return to Yankee Stadium on Monday to open a 10-game homestand against the Rays.

Stanton hasn't played a big league game since March 31, and he's 2-for-8 with seven walks in his three games this season. He has been sidelined with a left shoulder strain, and had his rehab interrupted by a left calf strain.