Ultimately, Aaron Boone indicated, the final call for Giancarlo Stanton's return will be made by Stanton himself.

Giancarlo Stanton was not activated before Friday night’s series opener in Boston, despite seemingly having wrapped up his rehab assignment earlier this week. Manager Aaron Boone told reporters pregame that Stanton was in the Bronx on Friday, working out at Yankee Stadium instead of joining the club at Fenway Park.

Giancarlo Stanton, the reigning ALCS MVP, is one step closer to rejoining the New York Yankees. Stanton will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with the Double-A Somerset Patriots on Tuesday, the team announced. He has not yet played this season due to what amounts to tennis elbow in both elbows.