31 Aaron Hicks CF

Hicks (oblique) is scheduled to play Instructional League games Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and possibly Thursday, George A. King of the New York Post reports.

Manager Joe Girardi indicated he wants to be sure the switch-hitting Hicks is comfortable from both sides of the plate before being activated, but the goal still seems to be a return before the end of the regular season next Sunday. Jacoby Ellsbury has filled in at center field in Hicks' absence and slashed an impressive .391/.500/.563 in September, so it remains to be seen if Hicks will immediately slot back into the starting lineup even when he does return to full health.

Hicks (oblique) traveled to Florida in order to record some plate appearances in the Instructional League, and will compete in a minor-league game Monday, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports.

Hicks was able to begin hitting off a tee Sunday, and this next step will finally allow him to receive some live at-bats as he continues to ramp up his recovery. With a minor-league appearance on tap for Monday, the outfielder could be back with the big-league club shortly after that outing, if all goes well during his rehab over the course of this week.

Hicks (oblique) was able to hit off a tee and throw on the field Sunday, George A. King of the New York Post reports.

Hicks had a slight setback earlier in the week after coming down with an illness, but that's now behind him. Now that he's gotten lighter swings under his belt, the outfielder is hoping to progress to a full batting practice session Tuesday. Hicks is still eyeing a return before the end of the regular season, but an exact timetable remains unclear.

Hicks (oblique) was able to work out on the field Wednesday, but had to leave early after coming down with strep throat, George A. King of the New York Post reports.

It doesn't sound as though the illness will present a major setback, as Hicks is still planning to rejoin the club before the end of the regular season, but it could leave the 27-year-old off the field for a bit as he returns to full health. Once he's able to continue rehabbing his way back from the original injury, the next step for the outfielder figures to be testing out the injured oblique while swinging a bat. After that point, a timetable for an exact return date could become a bit clearer.

Hicks' latest oblique injury is not considered as serious as his prior one, and the Yankees are hopeful he can begin swinging a bat again in 10-12 days, Sweeny Murti of Sports Radio 66 WFAN reports.

Teams typically don't bother with DL stints after September roster expansion has kicked in, but in this case it allowed the Yankees to add Caleb Smith back to their roster before his 10-day option window had expired. If that timetable for Hicks is correct, he should be able to rejoin the team before the regular season is over.