Aaron Hicks expected to return to lineup at start of Tigers series

 

The bruised Yankees will be removing one of four outfielders from a crowded disabled list on Thursday.

According to Triple-A Scranton manager Bobby Mitchell, center fielder Aaron Hicks is expected to rejoin the Major League club in Detroit when the Yankees open a weekend series against the Tigers at Comerica Park. Hicks, who has been sidelined with a Grade I strain of his intercostal muscle since March 30, will play five innings in Triple-A on Tuesday and nine innings on Wednesday.

Hicks was eligible to come off the disabled list for the start of New York’s road series against the Red Sox, but the recovery timetable for intercostal strains is typically 2-3 weeks.

Sabathia feels no pain in hip

According to YES Network’s Meredith Marakovits, veteran starter CC Sabathia played catch at Fenway Park on Tuesday, and he reportedly felt no pain in his right hip. The 37-year-old southpaw was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday night due to soreness in that hip after four innings of work against the Baltimore Orioles. Sabathia also told Marakovits that he expects to throw a bullpen session within the coming days. 

Sanchez returns to action in Fenway

Gary Sanchez is back in the lineup on Tuesday, hitting cleanup as the designated hitter against Boston at Fenway Park. The 25-year-old catcher missed the previous two games due to cramping in his leg. So far this season, Sanchez has hit a measly .063 with a home run, five strikeouts, zero walks, and three RBI. 

Drury’s health status still up in the air

Brandon Drury, the Yankees’ newly acquired third baseman, left Friday’s game with migraines and blurred vision. MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch has reported that Drury underwent several tests on Monday in New York and the team is still awaiting those results. Over the weekend, Drury told reporters that he’s dealt with recurring headaches for years, and Brian Cashman was unaware of this issue. 

Drury was also placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday, and his timetable remains unknown.

A big ‘YES’ for the Yankees’ ratings

The YES Network is continuing to break its own records. According to the network, Sunday’s Yankees-Orioles telecast was the highest-rated weekend game for YES since 2012. The game averaged a 4.69 household rating and 405,000 total television viewers.

 

If you want to connect with Tom Hanslin, email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @tomhanslin.