3:54pm: The Yankees are optimistic that Hicks’ latest oblique injury isn’t as serious as his previous one, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com (on Twitter). They believe he’ll be able to resume swinging within the next 10 days.
11:47am: The Yankees announced that they have placed outfielder Aaron Hicks on the 10-day disabled list with a left oblique strain and recalled left-hander Caleb Smith from Triple-A Scranton.
This is the second oblique-related DL placement of the summer for Hicks, who suffered a right oblique strain June 25 and didn’t return until Aug. 10. A similarly lengthy absence this time could mean the Yankees won’t have Hicks again this year, given that the 72-63 club is 2.5 games up on a wild-card spot and no sure thing to advance well into October.
Having seen his OPS drop 83 points since his initial DL stint, Hicks has slumped at an inopportune time for the Yankees. However, despite his recent struggles and injury woes, Hicks has surprisingly been one of the Yankees’ top players this year. After trudging through a disastrous 2016, his first season in the Bronx, the switch-hitting former Twin has slashed .265/.367/.463 with 13 home runs and eight stolen bases in 342 plate appearances. Hicks has combined that above-average offensive output with terrific work in the field (14 DRS, 5.7 UZR) to account for 2.7 fWAR – more than three times the total he posted from 2013-16 (0.8).
With expensive reserve Jacoby Ellsbury on hand, the Yankees are decently equipped to replace Hicks, though the former Red Sox star hasn’t exactly thrived this season. The Yankees’ outfield as a whole now looks much weaker than it did earlier in the season when Hicks and Aaron Judge were at their best. Judge is in the middle of a well-documented nosedive since the All-Star break, while Brett Gardner has also declined somewhat during the second half and Clint Frazier has been on the DL since Aug. 10 with an oblique strain of his own.
Yep, figures. Guess Jacoby will get to play everyday now. Hurry back, Vliny.
Viny? I meant “Clint.”
omg, have you ever seen Clint or Vinny throw home lol??
Ellsbury was going good b4 he concussed..then he didn’t play when he got back until Hicks got hurt.
The Yanks have to teach Clint how to throw and Sanchez how to catch.
Are you both high?
He never said “Viny” or “Vinny” –It was “Vliny”!
Whats the point of putting someone on the DL in september?
Why someone would give u a down vote for this is beyond me.. Maybe said person thinks the Yanks want 41 players on the roster???
Maybe the league “encourages” it, idk? Obviously there’s no real benefit for the Yankees unless he goes on the 60 day, which it sounds like he won’t.
It’s a fair question, but the answer is to be able to recall Caleb Smith without having to wait ten days from when he was sent down. I actually thought they would use it to recall Tyler Austin, but he can come up Tuesday and Smith would’ve had to wait till the end of the week.
Ah, there’s the correct answer. Thanks!
Hicks will be 28 this year, has been injured alot, and the Yanks have Gardner, Ellsbury, and Judge in the OF, with Frazir due back. Cave is also knocking on the door, with Florial in the ppipeline. I like what hicks brought to the table the first three months of the season, but since then its been nil. I would give him a shot to make the club next year, but I wouldn’t guarantee him a starting job even if they trade Ellsbury in the off-season.
The Yankees are holding on to one of the worst contracts in baseball. I would argue that it is even worse than Albert Pujols and they would have to do what the Red Sox did with Sandoval and just eat it all. Tastes like shoe leather..
I would counter argue that at least Ellsbury s is playing for our team, unlike Pablo and who can forget Rusney Castillo who secured a $70 million contract having never playing an inning of professional ball except for Cuban baseball, has been a dismal failure, played parts of 3 seasons for you and I believe is playing AAA ball at this time never to be seen in the majors again..
Like how all the people are breaking ankles jumping off the Judge wagon.
Hicks has a major league record for fastest velocity throwing the ball out of the outfield (105.5MPH for which he nailed down the assist) amp.mlb.com/173513490-yankees-aaron-hicks-throws-b…
His defense is a keeper.
Million dollar arm, 10 cent route effeceincy.
Make him a pitcher.
Yes yes yes. Now ellsbury has to play
YES!!
Connor, who hate you? Someone downvoted every comment here (12) and I think you’re an excellent writer who draws great discussion.
No matter how small or insignificant the news may seem, I think you have great work, Connor.
This article did not warrant a downvote of every comment (who I suspect is same person)
Maybe they hate the Yankees instead. You’re a great writer Conner! One of my favorites.
I don’t think someone down voting every comment necessarily has something to do with the writer of the article
Agreed! Thankfully. Hopefully it’s the topic (Yankees) and nothing agianst the author. I am biased on both accounts as I’m a Yankee fan and love Connor’s work.