Early in Tuesday’s game between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians, outfielder Aaron Hicks and shortstop Oswaldo Cabrera collided while hunting a fly ball between the infield and left field.
Hicks had the worst part of the play, and had to be removed from the game with knee pain.
He underwent some tests and while the exact diagnosis is not yet available, he was given a six-week recovery timeline.
Unfortunately, that means he is off the roster and won’t play again in 2022.
“Aaron Hicks (knee) said that his season is over. ‘I’m extremely disappointed. It’s something special. I wanted to be a part of it.’ He said that the estimated recovery time is six weeks,” Yankees insider Bryan Hoch tweeted.
Aaron Hicks (knee) said that his season is over. "I'm extremely disappointed. It's something special. I wanted to be a part of it." He said that the estimated recovery time is six weeks.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) October 19, 2022
With Isiah Kiner-Falefa starting at shortstop for the first three games of the American League Division Series against Cleveland, Cabrera was being deployed as a left fielder, sending Hicks to the bench.
The player understood the situation and didn’t cause a problem, but did say he wanted to play.
It’s normal and natural: every competitive player wants to be on the field.
He Had Gotten A Chance But Then Got Hurt
After Game 3, manager Aaron Boone decided to take Kiner-Falefa from the starting lineup and put Cabrera as the starting shortstop.
That meant left field was up for grabs, and Hicks started the last two games.
Unfortunately, he didn’t last long in Game 5 before his injury.
Now, he will have to root for his teammates from afar.
Hicks’ 2022 season has been rough.
He hit a meager .216/.330/.313, with eight home runs in 453 plate appearances.
Taking walks wasn’t the issue: power, however, was.
The Yankees will have to move on without him,
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