Yankees Option Mike Tauchman as Giancarlo Stanton is Expected to be Activated Tuesday

The Yankees are one step closer to Giancarlo Stanton's return to action.

New York has optioned outfielder Mike Tauchman back to Triple-A in preparation for the hulking slugger's activation on Tuesday.

Stanton hasn't appeared in a game since March 31 when he went down with a bicep injury. That quickly ballooned into a slew of other setbacks that hampered his repeated attempts to return to the big leagues.

Now, though, all that stands between him and major league action is a roster move.

If his performance in rehab assignments are any indication of how ready he is to return, then he should be just fine. Stanton has slugged five home runs in just six rehab games between Single-A and Triple-A.

It's a scary thought for the league that the Yankees have gone 44-27 with the 2017 NL MVP appearing in just three games.

Now, with multiple key players returning to health, the Yankees are in prime position to run away with the AL East. So long as returning stars like Stanton perform up to their potential, they should have no problem doing so.