Aaron Hicks is headed to the DL as the New York Yankees call up outfielder Billy McKinney from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Roster Move: Prior to tonight's game, OF Aaron Hicks was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right intercostal muscle strain and OF Billy McKinney was recalled from @swbrailriders.
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) March 30, 2018
The New York Yankees are going to need to shuffle the outfield alignment for the time being. Aaron Hicks is heading to the 10-day disabled list with a right intercostal muscle strain per the Yankees PR Department. Hicks had a career year in 2017 despite being plagued by injuries for a decent portion of last season.
The team is still waiting on Clint Frazier and Jacoby Ellsbury to get healthy, so in the meantime, they are calling up Billy McKinney to serve as the fourth outfielder.
Aaron Boone has his first really interesting lineup decision of the season. Brett Gardner will slide over to center field, but who will occupy left? Giancarlo Stanton is the obvious choice despite having an up and down Spring Training defensively. In all likelihood, this will be the move, but there are options for Boone.
He could give the rookie, McKinney a shot in left to let him get his feet wet in the MLB. Even crazier, he could move Tyler Austin, Tyler Wade or Brandon Drury out to left. All three of these guys have corner outfield experience, but don’t expect them to take over for Hicks. Boone would have to shuffle guys around other positions if he opts for Drury or either of the Tylers.
This is bad news no doubt, but it isn’t all doom and gloom. There is incredible depth throughout the organization. The team is missing three outfielders capable of being on the 25-man roster and yet, they still have solid options at all three outfield spots.
