The New York Yankees entered Monday night’s matchup with the Minnesota Twins knowing their margin for error had nearly evaporated. […]

Stanton has slashed .270/.343/.532 with 10 homers since returning to the Yankees' lineup, so the team can hardly afford losing his bat as it looks to right the ship. At the same time, it can't afford more defensive miscues, and it isn't clear if Stanton can really handle a defensive role, pain tolerance notwithstanding.

Stanton’s display of strength on Monday showed why the Yankees need to keep him in the lineup as much as they can, even with Judge expected to return from a flexor strain injury on Tuesday.