Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton smashes THREE monster home runs - including one over the scoreboard - in 12-0 win over the Pirates... as Aaron Judge returns after abdominal injury

Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton hit three home runs during the first four innings of New York's spring-training win over the Pirates on Wednesday, with each of them clearing the outfield fence by a long distance. 

Stanton's first long ball of the day cleared a mammoth fence in center field and put the Yankees up 3-0. 

An inning later, Stanton cleared the bases with a grand slam that flew over the scoreboard in left-center field. 

Stanton completed his hat trick of home runs in the bottom of the fourth, with no one on base.  

Also in the 12-0 win over Pittsburgh, Aaron Judge returned to the lineup for the first time in over a week after an abdominal injury.  

Stanton is already in mid-season form with three home runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates

After more than a week out of the Yankees lineup, Aaron Judge returned on Wednesday

Judge had one hit, a walk and an RBI eight days away from Opening Day.

Stanton and Judge highlight a potent Yankees lineup that can go from dormant to explosive quickly. 

The Yankees added Juan Soto to their lineup this offseason. His addition should round out one of the best offensive teams in baseball.

New York finished last season 82-80, 19 games back of the AL East-winning Baltimore Orioles.   

While New York may be improved in 2024 with a healthy roster, the three teams to finish ahead of it in its division last season all have young cores that have not regressed in the Orioles, Rays, and Blue Jays.  

Keeping Stanton and Judge healthy will be paramount for Yankees to have success in 2024.