OAKLAND, Calif. — It had been a week since Aaron Hicks was in the lineup before Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the A’s, having lost whatever playing time he was getting earlier to Andrew Benintendi and, more recently, Oswaldo Cabrera, who started at shortstop on Sunday.
And with the injured Harrison Bader possibly returning from plantar fasciitis next month, it’s unclear what Hicks’ role will be going forward.
But he was able to contribute on Sunday, delivering the Yankees’ first hit of the game in the fifth inning and then working a walk in the seventh. Hicks hadn’t had a hit since Aug. 12 and acknowledged after the game it was difficult for him to stay ready.
Aaron Hicks recording his first Yankees hit in weeks. USA TODAY Sports“The biggest challenge is not playing,” Hicks said. “To go four or five days not playing and having an at-bat against a tough pitcher is the toughest part, to come in cold.”
Aaron Boone has talked a lot about Hicks’ struggles from the left side of the plate and the single came as a lefty.
In the seventh, from the right side, Hicks also worked a walk after he just missed a double down the left-field line earlier in the at-bat.
But he’ll remain a bench player for the foreseeable future, even with three years left on his contract.
“This is the situation he’s in and we’re in,” Boone said before the game.
Asked why Hicks hasn’t been able to break out of his funk, Boone said, “I don’t know. He’s had a difficult time making consistent solid contact. Whether it’s mechanical, the challenge this year is finding consistency from the left side. … If we had an answer, we’d have done it.”
Hicks said his surgically repaired wrist feels fine.
“I just think I’m hitting too many balls on the ground, especially to the pull side,” Hicks said. “I’m trying to shoot more balls up the middle — or if I pull it, get the ball in the air.”
He’s noticed teams are now playing him to go the other way and has spent plenty of time working on his swing.
“Right now, I’m just worried about trying to help the team win and getting opportunities,” Hicks said. “I’m working on trying to fine-tune my swing and get back to hitting the ball solid.”
Perhaps Sunday is something to build on, especially with Giancarlo Stanton not ready to get back in the outfield yet.
“Hopefully he’s able to take this role and provide a spark at the bottom of the lineup,” Boone said.
