Aaron Hicks (right flexor strain) got cleared to throw on Friday and could start a throwing program on Monday. He also expects to start hitting again at some point during the week.
“It feels good right now,’’ Hicks said Friday before the Yankees’ 8-2 loss to the A’s in The Bronx. “I’m really confident I’ll be back, for sure.”
He’ll have to continue to do “maintenance” on the arm even after he returns.
Hicks has been out since he left a game on Aug. 3 after making a throw.
The Yankees figure to keep a close eye on the pitching at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this weekend, where Jordan Montgomery started on Friday and Luis Severino scheduled to go Sunday.
Montgomery made his second rehab outing — and first with SWB — as he comes back from last year’s Tommy John surgery. He allowed an unearned run and struck out three in 1 ²/₃ innings.
Before the outing, Aaron Boone said Montgomery could play a role for the Yankees next month, but the focus will remain on keeping him healthy and productive going into 2020.
Severino is scheduled to take the mound for SWB on Sunday in his first rehab start after missing all of 2019 with rotator cuff inflammation followed by a strained lat.
The Yankees will determine Severino’s next step following Sunday’s outing, and they are eyeing a September return for the right-hander.
Dellin Betances — who has missed the entire season with a shoulder injury that was followed by a strained lat — is in Tampa and will throw to hitters again Saturday. He will then come up to The Bronx and will throw a side session on Monday before another step is determined.