It’s official: Aaron Hicks is now a former Yankee and a free agent
Aaron Hicks is officially a former Yankee.
The veteran outfielder, who was designated for assignment Saturday, passed through waivers and received his outright release Friday.
The Yankees were not going to find a trade partner for Hicks, who is owed nearly $30 million through 2025, money the team will eat.
Hicks, 33, is now a free agent who surely will seek a team that can offer him a clearer role than he found in The Bronx.
After several underwhelming seasons, Hicks became a mostly forgotten fourth outfielder for the Yankees and posted a .524 OPS in 28 games this season.
After he came over in a trade with the Twins in 2016, Hicks was a revelation as a solid-hitting, excellent-fielding center fielder. The Yankees locked him up on a seven-year deal in February 2019, but his career plunged following the 2020 season.
“I hope what doesn’t get lost is a couple of really good seasons that he had here,” manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees’ 5-1 loss to the Padres in The Bronx. “Had some good postseason moments here. And then some injuries really impacted his time here, probably impacted his career and his ability to get back to that level.”
Hicks had Tommy John surgery in October 2019 and a procedure to repair a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist in May 2021. After two-plus seasons without results, the Yankees cut him and brought in speedy outfielder Greg Allen.
“Hopefully as time gets removed, you understand that he had some really good seasons here and did some really good things here.” Boone said.
Giancarlo Stanton (left hamstring strain) could begin a rehab assignment as soon as Tuesday.
Boone said Stanton, who took batting practice on the field Friday, would do a full workout this weekend and then would be reassessed.
The Yankees will begin a three-game series at the Dodgers on Friday. Boone said that while Stanton, a Los Angeles native, may have the thought of returning for the series in the back of his mind, health would dictate the plan.
“[Stanton] I think wants to make sure he’s ready and smart about this,” Boone said. “That’ll trump everything.”
Josh Donaldson (right hamstring strain) went 0-for-3 with two walks, two strikeouts and a run scored as the DH for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday in the second game of his rehab assignment.
Donaldson went 1-for-3 as third baseman Thursday and “reports were good,” Boone said.
It is possible Donaldson, who will be off Saturday and will play for SWB on Sunday, will be added for the series that begins Monday in Seattle.
Carlos Rodon (left forearm strain) threw off a mound for the first time since he was shut down because of a back flare-up earlier this month.
Boone was awaiting a report on the lefty.
“It feels like we’re moving in a good direction here,” Boone said.
Tommy Kahnle (right biceps tendinitis) could rejoin the club in Los Angeles.
The righty had two “ups” Thursday — recording the final out of an inning for SWB and returning to record two outs in the ensuing inning — and will pitch Sunday.
The Yankees likely will ask Kahnle to pitch Tuesday, too before he is ready to return.
Jose Trevino (left hamstring strain), who is eligible to be activated from the IL on Sunday, ran sprints on the field before the game and said he feels good.
The catcher said he is able to do “pretty much everything” physically right now. Trevino said he believes he will return soon.
Ben Rortvedt went 0-for-2 in his third start behind the plate Friday.