The New York Yankees have enjoyed late-season success from Jacoby Ellsbury, but Aaron Hicks isn’t too far away from making his return.
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks hasn’t seen action since Sept. 3 thanks to a strained left oblique, but George A. King III of the NY Post reports that he could make a return this season.
The 27-year-old switch-hitter hit off a tee, took some soft toss and did some throwing prior to Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Orioles and believes he could take full batting practice in a couple of days. In terms of a return action before season’s end, King also reports that Hicks thinks there is enough time left to get into games prior to the postseason.
Before going down, Hicks went 18-for-87 (.207) with three homers and 11 RBI’s in 22 games since returning from a right oblique injury on Aug. 10. While back-to-back oblique injuries are certainly a concern, Jacoby Ellsbury has stepped up and produced in Hicks’ absence.
In 54 plate appearances since Hicks’ injury, Ellsbury has reached base in 29 of them, batting .405 (17-for-42) with 13 runs scored, five doubles, six RBI’s, 10 walks and a .528 OBP.
Other Yankees’ Notes:
- According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Adam Warren (lower back spasms) is also making progress to return to the Yankees. Before the Yankees defeated Baltimore on Saturday, the right-hander played long toss and reported no issues. Hoch also reports that manager Joe Girardi believes Warren will be able to return before the end of the regular season. In 45 appearances this season, the 30-year-old owns a 2.40 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 56.1 innings pitched (8.5 K/9).
Adam Warren will throw on flat ground this afternoon. Still hopeful of coming back from the DL before the end of the regular season.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) September 16, 2017
- Aaron Judge continues his “walk toward history,” if you will. After being intentionally walked by Orioles manager Buck Showalter in the ninth inning on Sunday, the rookie earned his 115 walk on the season. That makes him the third Yankee since 1963 to draw at least 115 walks in a season, joining Jason Giambi (129 in 2003) and Willie Randolph (119 in 1980).
