Yankees Aaron Hicks says he’s ready to return; who’s odd man out?

Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks says he’s ready to return for the ALCS. If he does, who will be the odd man out on the 25-man roster?

Aaron Hicks has had a disappointing 2019 season, to say the least. After signing a seven-year, $70 million contract extension with the Yankees during the offseason, he played in just 59 games, batting .235 with 12 home runs, 36 RBI and a .769 OPS. 

The 30 year-old didn’t make his season debut until May 15 due to a lingering back injury. He then returned to the lineup until suffering an elbow injury at the beginning of August. Hicks hasn’t played since.

Per a report by the Associated Press, Hicks feels ready to return to the Yanks in time for the ALCS, which begins on Saturday. According to the report, the outfielder is facing live pitching and throwing in an effort to be activated for the series.

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Whether or not this is an actual possibility will be revealed in the coming days. The questions remain though. If Hicks is indeed activated in time to play in the ALCS:

A) What will his role be?

B) Who will be deactivated in his stead?

As for Hicks’ role, I can’t imagine him being at full strength, and therefore, I don’t see him starting. In any case, why would the Yankees want to tinker with a starting lineup that worked so well in the ALDS?