Yankees include Hicks, Sabathia on ALCS roster

HOUSTON — Three weeks ago, outfielder Aaron Hicks was a candidate for Tommy John surgery. Now he’s a part of the New York Yankees‘ American League Championship Series 25-man roster.

Hicks, who last played on Aug. 3 and was placed on the 60-day injured list due to a flexor strain near his right elbow, is one of the four outfielders the Yankees will carry on their roster for the ALCS, alongside Giancarlo Stanton, Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge.

The Yankees had the dubious distinction of setting a new record by placing 30 players on the injured list during the regular season, but they are getting healthy at just the right time.

Veteran left-hander CC Sabathia, who dealt with chronic right knee problems all season and most recently with a sore left shoulder, was included on the 25-man roster for the ALCS after also missing the Division Series against the Minnesota Twins. Sabathia was pretty much a roster certainty after Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he was “encouraged” by what he had seen from him during workouts ahead of the series.

“Just talking to him when he came in, said he felt good,” Boone said. “Frankly, looked really good. I was really excited about how he looked. He was sharp. He was able to really finish his pitches. He’s very much in the conversation now.”

In terms of Hicks, the Yankees skipper was pleasantly surprised to have him as an option. Boone had pretty much written him off for the playoffs back in September, when the thought was that Hicks could be a candidate for Tommy John surgery when he experienced a setback in his recovery from the flexor strain in his right elbow.

Hicks, who batted .235/.325/.443 with 12 homers and 36 RBIs in just 59 games this season, which got a deferred start due to lower-back issues, signed a seven-year, $70 million extension back in February.

“The good thing is he’s put himself in this position to make that decision,” Boone said of Hicks. “He’s good physically. Obviously hasn’t had the kind of reps or games that you’d like, but he has certainly put himself in a position to be considered. As good a player as he is, that’s exciting.”

The odd men out were utility-man Tyler Wade and first baseman Luke Voit, who were both part of the ALDS roster.

Hicks’ presence gives the Yankees defensive alignment options and flexibility. If he plays center field, Brett Gardner could slide over to left in place of Giancarlo Stanton, who could start at the designated hitter position. Edwin Encarnación could move to the bench or start at first base in place of DJ LeMahieu, who would then move from first to third, dropping Gio Urshela to the bench.

And even though he hasn’t gotten big league at-bats in the more than two months, the club’s decision-makers certainly saw enough in Hicks’ simulated games and batting practices this past week for him to be included on the roster.

Being a switch-hitter, Hicks gives the Yankees a rare lefty bat to deploy against Houston’s elite group of right-handed starters. The Astros have their three top righties scheduled for the first three games of the ALCS, starting in Game 1 with Zack Greinke, followed by Cy Young candidates Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole in Games 2 and 3.

Including Sabathia, the Yankees opted to carry 13 pitchers for the best-of-seven ALCS that starts Saturday night at Minute Maid Park.

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