New York Yankees lose two influential outfielders for remainder of season

New York Yankees, Aaron Hicks
Aug 3, 2019; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres (25) reacts with center fielder Aaron Hicks (31) after hitting a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the fifth inning of game two of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

As if losing Giancarlo Stanton for a significant portion of the regular season wasn’t enough, the New York Yankees will also be without two influential outfielders for the postseason.

Centerfielder Aaron Hicks and utility outfielder Mike Tauchman will miss the remainder of the season with severe injuries. The Yankees can’t seem to go even a week without losing a productive player that can help them during the playoffs, but they will need to supplement the loss with quality nonetheless.

Hicks, who was hitting .235 on the season with 12 homers, went for an opinion on his right flexor strain. The doctor stated that he should give the ailment a few more weeks rest until reevaluating.

Manager Aaron Boone said, “surgery certainly would be on the table. I wouldn’t even call it likely. It’s very much up in the air with how he responds.”

The Yankees starting outfielder hasn’t responded well, which will likely result in him enduring surgery and prematurely ending his season. Finding a replacement for the playoffs got a bit more complicated with Tauchman hitting the IL as well with a strained calf.

With just three outfielders 100% healthy, the Yanks will need to bank on those players to play at a high level. Clint Frazier, Brett Gardner, and Aaron Judge are the healthy options, with Cameron Maybin dealing with a ligament issue in his left wrist. That ailment will linger for the remainder of the season, but he will need to play through it.

Stanton’s return will be hugely impactful in helping the outfield come together as a cohesive unit once more. His power and hitting quality will also be a factor in a potential deep run for the Yanks. The lack of outfield options will give Frazier the chance to make the active roster for the postseason and even earn playing time if injuries strike again.