31 Aaron Hicks CF

Hicks and the Yankees agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract Friday, avoiding arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Hicks hit a modest .248 last season, but an excellent walk rate (15.5 percent), a good deal of power (27 homers) and solid outfield defense made him a very good all-around player. He lines up as the Yankees' everyday center fielder heading into the season, though persistent injury issues have prevented him from ever receiving 600 plate appearances and he's played more than 100 games just twice in his career.

Hicks (hamstring) is starting in center field and batting leadoff in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Red Sox on Tuesday.

Hicks exited Game 1 with hamstring tightness, but he's been cleared to rejoin the starting nine after sitting out the previous two games. The outfielder will face Rick Porcello, against whom he is just 4-for-32 (.125) in his career.

Hicks (hamstring) remains out of the starting lineup for Game 3 of the ALDS against Boston on Monday.

Hicks left Game 1 due to hamstring tightness and did not appear in Game 2, though he was reportedly available off the bench. He's expected to be a bench option again Monday. Brett Gardner remains the starter in center field.

An MRI on Hicks' hamstring came back clean, so he'll be available off the bench for Game 2 of the ALDS against the Red Sox on Saturday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Hicks appears to have avoided a major injury after being pulled from Friday's game due to hamstring tightness. Brett Gardner will start in his place for Game 2, but Hicks appears to be in contention for Monday's Game 3.

Hicks (hamstring) will not start Game 2 of the ALDS against Boston on Saturday.

Hicks was forced to leave Friday's opener with right hamstring tightness. He ran in the outfield prior to Saturday's game but evidently wasn't deemed ready to go. It's unclear if he'll be available off the bench. Brett Gardner will start in center field.