31 Aaron Hicks CF

Manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that he envisions Hicks serving as the Yankees' No. 3 hitter in 2021, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

During the abbreviated 2020 campaign, the No. 3 spot was the most common placement for Hicks, who made 32 of his 49 starts out of that lineup slot. It's worth noting that the Yankees were without both Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton for more than half of the season, but the sluggers' return to full health heading into 2021 apparently won't affect where Hicks fits into the lineup. Coming off October 2019 Tommy John surgery, Hicks' overall production dipped in 2020, but he still showed strong on-base ability, slashing .229/.400/.390 (126 wRC+) in 135 plate appearances in that lineup spot. Even if the power numbers he delivered prior to his surgery don't return, Hicks' ability to rack up walks should put him in position to score plenty of runs in the heart of a potent Yankees lineup.

Hicks said Thursday that his arm still doesn't "feel the same" after undergoing Tommy John Surgery in October of 2019, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

The outfielder noted that he had to alter his swing this past season to avoid hyperextending his arm as a result of the procedure. There doesn't appear to be reason to be overly concerned regarding Hicks' health heading into next season given that his offensive numbers stayed relatively steady between 2019 and 2020.

Hicks went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and an additional run scored during Saturday's 11-4 win over Miami.

Hicks now has a .296 average with two homers and nine walks across his past 12 games. The 30-year-old enters the final game of the regular season with a .230/.386/.424 slash line in 207 plate appearances this season.

Hicks went 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs, three RBI and a stolen base during Tuesday's 12-1 win over the Blue Jays.

The 30-year-old started the scoring in the first as he brought home Aaron Judge with a triple, and then he scored himself via a wild pitch. He then came through with a two-run single during the fifth inning. Hicks has a .225/.384/.411 slash line with five homers, 25 runs, 17 RBI and three stolen bases in 49 games this season.

Hicks isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Red Sox.

Hicks drew starts in each of the past seven games and reached base in each of those contests. He'll get a breather Saturday as Brett Gardner shifts to center field with Clint Frazier starting in left.

Hicks went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Tuesday's 20-6 rout of the Blue Jays.

He went back-to-back with Luke Voit in the second inning, and Hicks' blast chased Jays starter Taijuan Walker from the game. The center fielder hasn't had a multi-hit performance since Aug. 28, leaving him with a .209 batting average, but he's otherwise been fairly productive with a .374 OBP, five homers, two steals, 14 RBI and 19 runs through 43 games.

Hicks will sit for the first of Friday's two games against the Orioles.

It shouldn't be a surprise to see the fragile outfielder not tasked with starting twice in one day. Brett Gardner slides to center field in his absence, with Mike Tauchman starting in left.

Hicks went 1-for-3 with a home run, two walks and two RBI in a 12-7 loss to Toronto on Monday.

Hicks went back-to-back with Luke Voit in the first inning to stake the Yankees to an early lead. He brought home another run with a bases-loaded walk in the sixth to extend New York's lead to four before a bullpen implosion turned the tide in Toronto's favor. Hicks now has four homers and 13 RBI on the season with a .209/.365/.400 slash line.

Hicks will sit for the afternoon portion of Friday's doubleheader against the Orioles.

It's no surprise to see that the oft-injured veteran won't be asked to start twice in one day. Brett Gardner slides to center field in his absence, with Mike Tauchman starting in left, but Hicks will likely return to the lineup for the nightcap.

Hicks went 1-for-3 with a pair of walks, an RBI, a stolen base and a run in a loss to the Mets on Thursday.

Hicks played a prominent part in a two-run seventh inning that gave the Yankees a temporary lead, following a walk with a steal of second base before crossing the plate on a Gio Urshela single. The swipe was the first of the campaign for Hicks, who has notched double-digit steals in three of his previous seven MLB seasons. He ranks fourth among qualified hitters with a 19.2 percent walk rate in 2020.

Hicks (calf) will bat third and play center field Tuesday against Tampa Bay.

Hicks left the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Mets due to calf cramps and did not start Monday's game, though he did appear off the bench. He'll be involved from the start Tuesday and will be looking to stretch his hitting streak to four games.

Hicks (calf) singled in his only at-bat during Monday's loss to Tampa Bay.

Both Hicks and manager Aaron Boone indicated following Sunday's game that they weren't concerned about the calf cramps that forced the 30-year-old to exit that contest, and their statements were validated when Hicks notched an infield single in the ninth inning Monday. It wouldn't be a surprise for Hicks to be back starting at his customary center field position Tuesday.

Hicks (calf) will be on the bench for Monday's game against the Rays, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Hicks dealt with cramping in both of his calves in the second half of Sunday's doubleheader against the Mets and was forced to leave the game. The issue doesn't sound like a particularly serious one, but he'll miss at least one game. Brett Gardner shifts to center field in his absence, with Mike Tauchman starting in left.

Hicks is dealing with cramping in both of his calves after exiting Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader.

Hicks was replaced by a pinch runner after drawing a walk in the top of the fifth inning, and the team revealed that he's dealing with a calf issue. If Hicks is forced to miss any additional time, Clint Frazier or Tyler Wade could step into a role in the Yankees' outfield. However, manager Aaron Boone wasn't concerned about the injury following Sunday's contest, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Hicks exited Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Mets with an apparent ankle injury, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

Hicks appeared to slightly roll his ankle on a swing in the top of the fifth inning, and he was replaced by Brett Gardner, who entered the game as a pinch runner. The severity of Hicks' injury is unclear.

Hicks is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Hicks started the past seven games and will take a seat after going 4-for-25 during that stretch. He's likely to be back in the starting nine for Game 2. Estevan Florial will make his major-league debut in center field in the matinee.

Hicks went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run, two RBI and two runs scored Monday against the Red Sox.

Hicks got New York into the run column early, driving in Tyler Wade on a double to right center in the bottom of the second inning. Hicks would add to his club's lead in the seventh, clubbing a solo home run over the wall in right field. The starting center fielder is slashing .236/.408/.455 with eight extra-base hits and seven RBI through 18 games this season.

Hicks isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Red Sox.

Hicks went 0-for-4 with a run, a walk and a strikeout in Friday's series opener against Boston. Brett Gardner will shift to center field in Hicks' absence.

Hicks isn't starting the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rays.

Although Hicks isn't in the lineup for the afternoon portion of Saturday's twin bill, he should be back in the starting nine for the second game. Brett Gardner will start in center field with Mike Tauchman taking over as the left fielder.

Hicks isn't in the lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Phillies.

Hicks went 1-for-3 with a walk in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader, but he'll play a bench role for the second contest. Mike Tauchman will start in center field in his place, batting sixth.