Yankees Aaron Hicks looking less likely to return this season

Aaron Hicks has had a season to forget in 2019. Having played in only 59 games, the Yankees centerfielder has officially been shut down following persistent right elbow pain.

It’s becoming increasingly likely that the Yankees will head into the postseason without the services of two-way star Aaron Hicks.

On the injured list since August 3 with a flexor strain in his right elbow, it was just last week that the 29-year-old Hicks was cleared to begin a throwing program.

However, according to Bryan Hoch, after experiencing significant pain, Hicks underwent a dye-contrast MRI. And although the results proved that his UCL and flexor tendon are sound, manager Aaron Boone now suggests that Hicks’ season could be in “jeopardy.”

Up to this point, the Yankees have been extremely cautious with Hicks due to the nature of his injury. No one within the organization wants to risk losing him to Tommy John surgery — especially after signing a seven-year, $70 million extension in late February.

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With only 20 regular-season games remaining, expecting Hicks to ready himself for the playoffs isn’t realistic. The same could be said for Giancarlo Stanton, who has only seen the field on nine occasions in 2019.

Though Boone swears that Stanton is very “close” to ramping up his rehab, no actual timetable for his return exists. 

Luckily, Brett Gardner is making the most out of his one-year, $7.5 million season with the Yanks, slugging his 21st home run of the year on Friday — tying his career-high.

With Gardy in center and Aaron Judge manning his traditional right field, should Stanton take longer to return than expected, the Yankees will have to rely on a mixture of Mike Tauchman, Clint Frazier and Cameron Maybin to play left field. However, Maybin is dealing with a left wrist issue that will likely require offseason surgery to correct.

As for playing the hot hand, Tauchman is 10-for-49 in his last 15 games (.204 BA). With no homers, three RBIs and an 11:5 K:BB ratio, the Yankees better hope reality isn’t setting in for the long-time minor leaguer.

Clint Frazier has only received four plate appearances since his promotion on Sept. 1 — and Maybin, who hasn’t suited up since Aug. 31, was slashing .235/.291/.435 with two homers, six RBIs and 19 strikeouts in his previous 51 at-bats.