New York Yankees receive great injury news with James Paxton and Aaron Hicks

Great injury news from Yankees GM Brian Cashman on two starting players:

With Major League Baseball team owners and players in a showdown to determine the future of the 2020 season, the Yankees are quietly seeing their players return to full health. Before the coronavirus pandemic took full hold of society and suspended operations across baseball, the Yankees were scheduled to start the year without multiple players. Starting outfielders Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks, Giancarlo Stanton, and starting pitchers James Paxton and Luis Severino were all set to miss time.

However, all of this extra time off has allowed them to heal and hopefully return once the regular season begins (aside from Severino), which general manager Brian Cashman is optimistic about.

Cashman, spoke to the media on a charity video call Thursday that helps raise money for Family Centers, or Fairfield County, Connecticut nonprofit that is helping people impacted by the coronavirus.

During the call, Cashman was asked about injured pitcher James Paxton and centerfielder Aaron Hicks, who are both reportedly recovering well and ahead of schedule.

”He’s been tremendous,” Cashman stated on the call.

Hicks, who underwent Tommy John surgery after the Yankees exited the playoffs in October, has been swinging a baseball bat and started a throwing program. The Yankees would love to have their centerfielder back as soon as possible, given the injuries that continued to plague the unit. The idea of Hicks returning this summer is a “legit option,” according to Cashman.

The Yankees starting outfielder signed a seven-year, $70 million extension just before the 2019 season began, but he only played in 59 games. The hope was that Hicks could remain healthy and lock down the position for the next few years, but it looks like Brett Gardner might have some more time as a starter before his inevitable retirement.

Paxton, on the other hand, has been recovering well after having a cyst removed from his lower back several months ago.

“Feels great,” Cashman said of Paxton. “We’re fortunate to know that one of the better starting pitchers in the game — his issues, looks like they’ve resolved and it’s just simply now tuning up and getting ready.”