Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks has been cleared to begin a throwing program, manager Aaron Boone told reporters Wednesday (Twitter links via Bryan Hoch of MLB.com). Boone didn’t provide a further timetable on Hicks, but it’s a notable step in the 30-year-old’s recovery from last October’s Tommy John surgery.
As MLBTR’s Connor Byrne noted when looking at how the postponing of Opening Day impacts the Yankees, Hicks’ recovery timetable was expected to be eight to 10 months, which would put him in line for a return anywhere from June until August. Depending on when (or if) the season is able to commence, it’s possible that Hicks could return to the lineup without having missed much time at all.
That’d be a notable boost for the Yankees; while many have lamented the seven-year, $70MM contract signed by Hicks immediately before back injuries caused him to begin the 2019 season on the IL (and before his elbow required surgery), it’s worth remembering just how strong Hicks’ 2017-18 seasons were. During that time, he slashed .255/.368/.470 with 42 home runs, 36 doubles, three triples and 21 steals through 942 plate appearances. In the field, he totaled 4 Defensive Runs Saved, a 5.7 Ultimate Zone Rating and was at least average, per Statcast’s OAA metric.
Boone also noted that lefty James Paxton, on the mend from back surgery, is continuing a throwing program at his Wisconsin home. All appears to be well on that front — or, at least, no setback or negative updates were provided — which bodes well for an on-target return to the mound. The Yankees announced he’d be sidelined three to four months when he underwent back surgery in February.
As for right fielder Aaron Judge, Boone offered little in terms of timeline but gave what’s sure to be a frustrating update for fans when he revealed that the slugger’s collapsed lung could date all the way back to a diving attempt in the outfield last September. “It’s probably something that’s impossible to know for sure, but I would believe that it’s all interrelated,” said Boone. Judge will be re-evaluated in a “few weeks” after his cracked rib has had more time to heal, tweets Brendan Kuty of the New Jersey Star-Ledger.
I’ve thrown many programs after another lost weekend at Belmont or Saratoga
Still not good enough. Be better.
Well WAJGH, once again my dear, you where as right as rain. I am, with out a doubt, the biggest pain in the butt that ever came down the pike. I meet someone who’s company I really enjoy, and what do I do? I go overboard. I smother the poor soul. I cause him more trouble than he has a right to. God, I got a big mouth. When am I ever gonna wake up? I wish you were here with me right now. But… I guess that’s not gonna happen. Not now, anyway.
You be you dynamite.
You be you…..
Dell Griffin? Is that you?
No Dynamite. Some people think you might be the biggest racist on here. I don’t. Remember a week or so ago? Never mind, my line stands.
Be better.
Don’t let me stand in your way, please don’t let me stand in your way. The last thing I want to be remembered as is an annoying blabbermouth… You know, nothing grinds my gears worse than some chowderhead that doesn’t know when to keep his big trap shut… If you catch me running off with my mouth, just give me a poke on the chops…
Solid drop Monty, flushed away quite a few weekends at Del Mar as well!
Still reeling I see….
I hope he can throw further than 6 feet.
I know this is a Yankee fan forum, but notice the difference in tone between the Justin Smoak article and the Aaron Hicks article. Both had solid 17 and 18. Hicks had an excellent defensive ’17, but not a very good ’18. Smoak not so good either year. Smoak has had over 400 ab’s the past 3 years. Hicks only once.
Just seems odd MLBTR’s gets excited about Hicks and skeptical of Smoak.
Big Gulps, eh? Well.. see ya!
I think it’s mostly because he signed a long term extension and then got injured shortly afterward.
Yankees fan forum? 9/10 comments bash the yankees
The Yankees are really benefiting from this delay. With the exception of Severino & German, they could be fully healthy once (or if) the season starts.
Houston is also getting a huge pass with this delay. Fans were ready to obliterate them at every road game due to their cheating scandal. Now with potential empty stadiums and pure joy when fans are finally allowed back into stadiums, the disdain is going to be significantly less than it would have been without this pandemic. I hope they still hear it though once the season starts.
The Yankees were fairly healthy before spring training… they just seem to find ways to get on the IR.
I wouldn’t say that. They knew about Paxton before ST started and they knew Judge still had issues with his shoulder/chest dating back to September. The only real injury they got in ST was Stanton’s calf muscle. The rest (including Hicks) were known about prior to the start of ST.
Now they have a chance to have Paxton, Stanton, Judge and maybe even Hicks ready by opening day. That’s a huge win for the Yankees!
If there is an opening day