New York Yankees fans have unfortunately grown used to slugger Giancarlo Stanton missing time. While the star was already looking to return from a lengthy IL tenure with a right calf strain, Stanton reportedly strained his left calf while running, according to Bryan Hoch.

Since 2024, the designated hitter/outfielder failed to tally 80 games played, with his two-season total just scraping triple digits at 101 appearances.

During the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Stanton was an integral part of New York’s offensive output (.273 AVG, .709 SLG, 1.048 OPS, 7 HR, 16 RBI); that dominance may be a thing of the past, and questions have begun to arise regarding how much longer Stanton will remain in the majors.

Here’s the rundown on whether or not the Yankees’ star slugger will call it quits on his career.

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Could Giancarlo Stanton retire?

While Stanton, or his ball club, have yet to make an official statement regarding his future, retirement could unfortunately be on the table for the slugger. On Saturday, news broke that Stanton strained his left calf while he was running, according to MLB reporter Bryan Hoch.

Giancarlo Stanton strained his other calf. He fell while running. Moderate grade strain, Aaron Boone said. He may be out for the season.

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) August 22, 2026

The slugger was already recovering from a low-grade strain in his right calf obtained by running to third base on April 24 against the Houston Astros. While rehabbing that previous right calf strain, Stanton reportedly suffered a setback in June that delayed his timetable even further.

Here is New York manager Aaron Boone discussing Stanton’s latest injury with the press:

Aaron Boone announces that Giancarlo Stanton has strained his other calf pic.twitter.com/hamMOdfbzQ

— SNY Yankees (@snyyankees) August 22, 2026

“We’re not ruling anything out,” Boone said. “He’ll obviously continue to work to try to get it right and hopefully be available. Obviously we’re at a point in the calendar where it gets challenging. But you also never know.”

Stanton’s contract situation also looms in the distance, and this latest injury may not help his case for a career that lasts much longer.

Giancarlo Stanton is earning $29 million this season and is owed $25 million for 2027. His contract – initially signed with the Marlins in November 2014 – includes a $25 million club option for the 2028 season, which carries a $10 million buyout. The Marlins are in the process of…

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) August 22, 2026

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What has Giancarlo Stanton said about retirement?

Stanton has yet to make a statement regarding how much longer his MLB career will span. The slugger made his MLB debut in June 2010 with the Florida Marlins, and joined the Yankees in 2018.

This section will be updated if Stanton or the Yankees make a statement regarding his future.

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Giancarlo Stanton injury history

Stanton has fallen victim to injuries numerous times throughout his career. According to Fox Sports, after his debut campaign with the Yankees in 2018, the slugger has yet to play a full season, and he’s sat out 266 of 708 contests through the ensuing five seasons.

Here’s a look at Stanton’s injury history throughout his Yankee career, per Fox Sports:

DateInjuryApril 1, 2019BicepJune 25, 2019KneeOct. 13, 2019Right quadAug. 9, 2020Left hamstringMay 14, 2021QuadMay 24, 2022CalfJuly 24, 2022AchillesSept. 5, 2022FootApril 16, 2023HamstringJune 22, 2024HamstringMarch 26, 2025ElbowApril 24, 2026LegAug. 22, 2026HamstringGiancarlo Stanton age

Currently, Stanton is 36 years old and is well into the tail end of his career. He was born on November 8, 1989, in Panorama City, Calif.

He was drafted by the Florida Marlins during the second round of the 2007 MLB Draft and made his MLB debut on June 8, 2010, at 20 years old.

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Giancarlo Stanton contract details

In 2015, Stanton signed a mammoth 13-year, $325 million contract with the Marlins, according to Spotrac. This season, the slugger will earn a base salary of $29 million with the Yankees. 

In 2028, his contract is equipped with a $25 million club option with a $10 million buyout, followed by an unrestricted free agency tenure the following season.