Yankees Burying Utility Man With Veteran First baseman ‘Likely’ Returning on Sunday
Luke Voit May Be in Line for Active Role vs. White Sox
Voit Could Get Regular At-Bats in Coming Weeks
There is no better way to show how poorly things have gone for the New York Yankees than their plans for Aaron Hicks. A rumor surfaced this week that the Yankees are all but set to have Luke Voit start at first base on Sunday, with Giancarlo Stanton shifting to DH and Aaron Hicks likely getting the day off.It would be another sign that Hicks is buried deep on New York’s list of outfield options, even with the Yankees getting off to a 6-1 start that leads the AL East.
After signing a seven-year, $70 million contract extension last spring, Hicks has found himself stuck behind Aaron Judge and Stanton on the depth chart. He did not play in the first two games of this series in Toronto because of a sore left wrist.
Hicks went 0-for-3 with a strikeout Wednesday in his first game back as the designated hitter, and did not play Thursday.
With the Yankees set to face three right-handed starters for the Chicago White Sox this weekend, Voit figures to get another chance to play first base. Currently, he is hitting .294 with a .357 on-base percentage, .471 slugging percentage and .829 OPS in 13 plate appearances this season.
If Voit continues to hit, he could get more regular at-bats against right-handed pitchers in the coming weeks.
That would leave Hicks on the bench with limited opportunity to play. The veteran outfielder may decide his options are limited, and the Yankees may be happy to accommodate him if another team shows interest.
In the meantime, New York is going to continue to run out its cast of misfits and hope for the best.
