TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury hurt a hip in his comeback from an oblique injury, a setback that means Aaron Hicks is likely to return from the disabled list first.
New York manager Aaron Boone disclosed Ellsbury’s latest malady on Tuesday. The 34-year-old outfielder did not play in any exhibition games from March 1 until March 24 and finished spring training 1 for 14.
”It’s going to cost him a couple days here,” Boone said. ”Hopefully it’s something small and not a big deal and not a huge setback, but shut down for a couple days.”
Ellsbury is projected as a backup outfielder after losing the starting center field job to Hicks last season. Ellsbury is guaranteed $21,142,857 in each of the next three seasons as part of a $153 million, seven-year contract that includes a $21 million team option for 2021 with a $5 million buyout.
He hit .264 with seven homers and 39 RBIs in 112 games last season. He was sidelined from May 24 until June 26 after sustaining a concussion against the outfield wall while making a spectacular catch to rob Kansas City’s Alcides Escobar.
Hicks went on the disabled list Friday, a day after straining his right ribcage in the opener. He set career highs with a .266 average, 15 homers and 52 RBIs last year in a rebound from a poor first season in New York following his trade from Minnesota. He strained his right oblique muscle last June 25 on a checked swing against Texas, returned Aug. 10, then strained his left oblique at Boston on Sept. 2 while making a running catch and came back Sept. 26.
Hicks is eligible to be activated April 9.
Clint Frazier could be getting into minor league games soon. The outfielder hasn’t played since sustaining a concussion against the outfield fence in his second spring training game on Feb. 24.
”He’s running the bases,” Boone said, ”continues to build momentum.”
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