Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks would be “ready to play” if the MLB season returns in July, he tells George A. King III of the New York Post. Hicks underwent Tommy John Surgery last October.
It seems Hicks has progressed as hoped throughout rehab. The procedure initially called for an eight to ten month recovery time, and the 30-year-old looks to be coming in at the early end of that timetable. He has been taking batting practice for two months without issue, he tells King, and has progressed to throwing from 160 feet and taking outfield drills.
Myriad challenges (coronavirus upticks in certain states, a messy labor dispute) remain for there to be a season at all, of course. If MLB were to get games off the ground, the Yankees would certainly be thrilled to welcome Hicks back. A flexor strain helped limit Hicks to 255 plate appearances over 59 games last season, the first of the seven year, $70MM extension he signed last February.
Injury-plagued 2019 notwithstanding, Hicks had emerged as one of the league’s better outfielders over the prior two seasons. Between 2017-18, he hit .255/.368/.470 (128 wRC+) over 942 plate appearances with slightly above-average defensive metrics in center.
about to be hit with that COVID-19
I know anything can happen in a shorter season, but now that they’re almost completely healthy the yanks are gonna really tough to beat this year
Assuming of course there is a season, which I think there will be
theyll be even healthier if the season doesnt start till 2020
It is 2020.
Why did you have to ruin the fun?
Too bad Gerritt Cole and a bullpen isn’t enough pitching to win.
Masahiro who? James what? Jordan where? Deivi when? Jonathan why?
Paxton is coming off a big injury, and the last 3 don’t scare anyone (yet)
Won’t even discuss the rest but since when is a cyst a big injury. I had one kind of in the exact same place where Paxton has his and the long pause its because it’s a area that is hard go heal normally because you are always moving, sweating, and that makes it hard to the wound to close. That’s why you got to be quieter while it doesn’t close completely but other than that it won’t effect in any other way. I returned after the 4 months and only felt some rustiness from the time stopped
You just made my point, little fella.
Johnathan Lowhysiga?
No but seriously the kid could be good
Tanaka has been money in the playoffs…
I seem to recall a certain team from the bay area winning with one stud starter, a good bullpen and clutch hitting one year.
They still need to prove themselves at the mlb level. I can see Cessa, lasagna and king being a big part of the bullpen or rotation.
Cessa? You just lost all credibility, homeslice.
Even if they play the panic and reaction caused by the flu-19 has me so disinterested, I won’t even follow it.
A poll was taken and found that you won’t be missed.
If you are so not watching, why would you be on a MLB site like this?
Typical response since there is no season. Once first game starts. the injury complaints will begin
Wow so glad I now know Hicks is ready to play. We all can sleep better knowing another over hyped Yankee is ready to play. What about the 30 others that have come back and are “ Now Ready” oh yea I forgot they aren’t Yankees so it doesn’t matter
If Hicks is completely healthy after TJ surgery and Judge is not then TRADE HIM!!!!
@mlbnyyfan
Assuming you mean trade Judge – he of the mis-diagnosed rib injury, but more of that later – can you tell me what (or why it is) about Judge that some Yanks fans despise, because it escapes me??
The guy is the best defensive RF in the AL, smashes himself to pieces on your beloved short porches, is lucky to get a dozen games a year at DH to protect himself from himself and also because the medical staff can’t keep anyone else healthy either. Oh he can hit (and miss) quite a bit too.
I can only be glad for him that he didn’t choose to “do an Ellsbury” and seek a second medical opinion given the apparent incompetence in treatment of him and his team mates. But – regardless – some Yanks fans attitude towards Judge baffle me.
I don’t like his injury history. He’s been injured more than my liking. A players best ability is availability. He’s been injured every year and each injury is not a two week situation. He misses large chunks of the year. Yes he’s a great defensive Right fielder and a great talent. Both Judge and Stanton strike out way too much. I don’t think he should be batting second on the Yankees. Your right the entire medical staff can’t keep anyone healthy. Believe me I don’t despise him at all. I just want the Future Captain on my team to be more available instead of on the DL.
Blaming the trainers for player health seems weird.
@nyyfan…..
I don’t really see how the broken wrist from a HBP can be down to anything other than luck. I agree with you about availability…. If I’m in the Yankees offices though – I’d be looking at everything – down to training regimes both personal & team training – because I can’t see the plethora of injuries in total as just bad luck…. Besides as a fan, I want to see the best players playing…
Cheers, take care
Sure he’s ready to play now… when play begins he will stub a toe and be out for months.
It’s good to know Hicks is well enough to get hurt again.
Hands down the best comment I’ve seen