It was simply 12 video games, however they have been sufficient to let Aaron Hicks know he was good to go.
After shedding many of the 2021 season attributable to wrist surgical procedure, the Yankees heart fielder made the choice to go to the Dominican Republic in late November to play with Leones de Escogido within the Dominican Winter League.
Hicks piled up 53 plate appearances in a full of life ambiance and achieved what he got here for.
“Getting again into taking part in, competing, seeing pitches,” Hicks stated of his causes for collaborating. “Finally, a very powerful factor for me was seeing pitches and having the ability to regulate to velocity once more.”
About 4 months later, Hicks can really feel his offseason tour paying off.
Getting into Wednesday’s sport in opposition to the Blue Jays, Hicks had recorded a success in every of his 4 begins, together with a two-run house run that obtained the Yankees on the board in Tuesday’s 4-0 win.
For a participant who may very well be making an attempt to make up for misplaced time — he performed simply 32 video games final season earlier than present process surgical procedure for a torn sheath in his left wrist — Hicks has additionally proven the endurance on the plate he's recognized for at his finest, drawing three walks by way of his first 16 plate appearances.
“I really feel like he’s nonetheless discovering his means, however that’s the benefit of it — he’s getting on base, he’s getting his hits,” supervisor Aaron Boone stated. “It’s good to see Aaron, with a misplaced season final 12 months for him, I do know he’s actually labored laborious within the winter, going to play winter ball, however bodily getting himself prepared. He performed so much in spring coaching. He was taking numerous at-bats, even on the times he wasn’t taking part in so he’d be able to go. He’s are available and actually contributed.”
Hicks, who was additionally restricted to 59 video games in 2019 due to a again pressure and a proper flexor pressure that in the end required Tommy John surgical procedure, isn’t essentially excited about proving that he’s all the way in which again. It would take greater than 5 video games to do this this season.
As a substitute, Hicks — within the fourth 12 months of a seven-year, $70 million contract — is preserving his mindset easy.
“I’m simply making an attempt to go on the market and play proper now,” Hicks stated. “Simply play. Benefit from the second, get pleasure from what I’m doing and take it daily. I’m probably not making an attempt to assume an excessive amount of about that. Me going and taking part in within the DR positively helped that so much.”
Hicks estimated that it took about 5 video games within the Dominican Republic for him to really feel comfy along with his wrist once more. He needed to take stable hacks and swing laborious and see how his wrist would reply.
With the winter league cameo proving useful each bodily and mentally, Hicks is providing early hope that he will be an vital piece of the Yankees’ lineup on a constant foundation.
“He’s a tricky at-bat,” DJ LeMahieu stated. “He doesn’t chase pitches, he can do harm on pitches which are over the plate. When he’s in a rhythm, it looks as if he’s all the time on base, all the time doing harm. That’s how he’s appeared the final couple video games, for positive.”
The 32-year-old Hicks has gotten sooner or later off by way of the Yankees’ first six video games, with 4 begins in heart discipline and one in left — his first sport there since 2017. With Brett Gardner now not within the image to supply insurance coverage in heart — and Aaron Choose capable of begin there sometimes — Hicks’ dependability turns into much more vital.
“To have a man that may not solely be a contributor however have an effect, as a swap hitter offensively taking part in that place, is large,” Boone stated. “We’ve seen Aaron put collectively lengthy stretches of being a very constant man that will get on base. He’s off to a great begin in that means and simply wish to ensure he continues it.”
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