31 Aaron Hicks CF

Hicks (back) went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in his first rehab game for High-A Tampa on Monday.

The outfielder has been battling back issues since early March. He could be back in New York as soon as this weekend, though a longer rehab stint appears likely, especially if he continues to struggle.

Hicks (back) will continue taking at-bats this weekend and is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Monday, and could rejoin the Yankees within 7-to-10 days, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Hicks resumed facing live pitching about a week ago and has advanced to participating in simulated games as he continues his recovery from the back strain. The 29-year-old has been sidelined since early March and would provide a significant boost to an injury-depleted lineup.

Hicks (back) played in another simulated game Tuesday and is expected to serve as the designated hitter in an extended spring game Wednesday, Coley Harvey of ESPN.com reports.

This is more good news for Hicks, who's still on the mend from a back injury suffered early in spring training. He'll presumably be sent out on a rehab assignment in the near future, assuming all goes according to plan.

Hicks (back) faced live pitching Saturday for the first time since going on the injured list, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Hicks is gradually working his way back from a back injury that has kept him out of action since early March. He could play in an extended spring game Wednesday, with a rehab assignment presumably following soon after that.

Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Hicks (back) has been throwing from the outfield and taking part in a running program, Coley Harvey of ESPN.com reports.

The next step in Hicks' recovery will be to take swings against live pitching, something Boone expects to happen within the next few days. Hicks, who recently left the team to continue his rehab at extended spring training in Tampa, has been sidelined all season with a lower-back strain. Realistically, he's at least a couple weeks away from returning from the 10-day injured list.