Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is getting closer and closer to returning. He’s been in Tampa for most of the last two work weeks getting five or six at-bats daily facing minor leaguers in simulated games at the club’s player development complex.

Stanton could start rehab games as soon as next Tuesday with the Somerset Patriots, NJ.com's Randy Miller reports. If all goes well, he might be back in pinstripes for the Yankees’ June 16 series opener against the Angels at Yankee Stadium. It’s been a long road back for Stanton.

With Giancarlo Stanton's return on the horizon, how will the Yankees split playing time between their veteran slugger and Ben Rice?