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.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone was not ready on Wednesday to announce the next steps for Giancarlo Stanton’s return from the injured list. But the slugger’s timetable is gradually becoming clearer.