New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks is currently rehabbing with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and gives ESNY the latest on his progress.
MOOSIC, Pa. — The New York Yankees rank 28th among Major League teams in offensive WAR (-0.4) in the month of August, making Aaron Hicks (oblique) keen on returning to the lineup.
“Definitely [eager to return],” the outfielder said prior to the RailRiders’ Friday night contest against the Pawtucket Red Sox at PNC Field. “But it’s a solid lineup and they’re going to score runs. I’m not too worried.”
Hicks has been out of action since June 25 after going down with an oblique injury against the Texas Rangers. He was slashing .290/.398/.515 with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs — both career-highs. Since then, the Yankees have gone 17-17, losing their grasp on the American League lead.
“It sucks,” Hicks said when asked about the team’s woes. “You want to be with your team and you want to be able to contribute and you can’t do it when you’re on the bench.”
The 27-year-old has played in two rehab games for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders thus far, going a combined 2-for-7 with a double and a run scored as the designated hitter.
He’s penciled in the lineup on Friday night in the two-hole and slated to play seven innings in center field. Manager Al Pedrique says he will stay with the team through Sunday, but will, in all likelihood, continue his rehab elsewhere when the RailRiders head to Gwinnett. Joe Girardi said Hicks could be back in the Bronx by the end of the next road trip (which ends in Toronto on Aug. 10).
“I feel good,” Hicks said. “Body feels good right now I’m all about getting my swing right and doing what I can do get best prepared. I’m 100 percent (healthy).”
