Boone mapping plan for Stanton

The clock is ticking on whether there’s enough time for Giancarlo Stanton to get back and be a productive player in time for the playoffs.

The Yankees should get their answer soon, because Stanton could be activated as soon as Wednesday, according to Aaron Boone.

Sidelined since suffering a sprained right knee on June 25, Stanton has also spent time on the injured list with a torn left biceps, a left shoulder injury, and a strained left calf.

He has been limited to nine games, yet Boone said Stanton believes his “knee is where it needs to be” and has been running bases and partaking in agility and conditioning drills in Tampa without an issue.

How that translates to The Bronx with just 10 games left before the postseason as of Tuesday likely will help determine what role Stanton has in October.

Boone said he may build Stanton up by playing him a few innings at a time in the outfield. The manager added he has been encouraged by how Stanton has bounced back during his rehab stint, which included games in the Instructional League over the weekend.

Boone plans on talking through a plan with Stanton and the training staff to see how often he should play in the final stretch of the season.

Stanton’s presence takes on greater importance given the state of the rest of the outfield.

Aaron Hicks went back to Tampa and has restarted his throwing program after being shut down in his attempt to return from a right flexor strain.

Cameron Maybin, dealing with an injured ligament in his left wrist, had the problem flare up Tuesday.

Boone said Maybin likely won’t start Wednesday and that while it’s not something he’s especially concerned about, the issue will linger.

Boone doesn’t expect Edwin Encarnacion to start swinging a bat until next week at the earliest while he recovers from a strained oblique.

J.A. Happ is scheduled to make his next start on Thursday as he deals with left biceps tendinitis, which required a cortisone shot on Friday.

The Yankees have let go of five minor league staff members.

According to minor league head Kevin Reese, the team didn’t renew the contracts of hitting coordinator Edwar Gonzalez, field coordinator Jody Reed, pitching coordinator Scott Aldred, Trenton hitting coach Ty Hawkins and Charleston hitting coach Greg Colbrunn.