Austin Slater began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after suffering a left hamstring strain on August 5 that sidelined him nearly a month. The 32-year-old was acquired on July 30 in a trade that sent pitching prospect Gage Ziehl to the Chicago White Sox and had appeared in three games for New York before the injury. Across 54 games in 2025 between both clubs he is slashing .223/.284/.440 with five home runs. He has produced a .247 average and five homers in 73 at-bats against left-handed pitching, creating a late-game matchup advantage for New York. Advanced metrics support his extra-base power, and his return adds a right-handed outfield option amid injuries to Judge, Stanton and Cabrera. Fill-ins have included Cody Bellinger and Amed Rosario.
The New York Yankees are set to receive a boost to their outfield depth as veteran outfielder Austin Slater begins a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Slater was placed on the injured list on August 5 with a left hamstring strain, sidelining him for nearly a month. His rehab assignment started Friday with the RailRiders, who are in a key late-season series against the Syracuse Mets.
While those surface numbers are modest, Slater has shown significant value in one key role, hitting against left-handed pitchers. In 73 at-bats versus lefties this season, he has produced a .247 average with five home runs, offering the Yankees a potential matchup advantage late in games or against difficult southpaw starters. His advanced metrics back up that ability, ranking well in exit velocity, barrel rate, and hard-hit percentage, making him a threat for extra-base power in limited opportunities.
Slater's return is important for a Yankees team facing multiple outfield injuries. Aaron Judge remains limited to designated hitter duties due to a right flexor strain, while Giancarlo Stanton has been forced into occasional right field appearances despite durability concerns. Utility outfielder Oswaldo Cabrera has been sidelined since spring training, and fill-ins such as Cody Bellinger and Amed Rosario have rotated through the outfield. The addition of Slater gives manager Aaron Boone another right-handed option, particular
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