The injury bug has struck the Bombers again. Aaron Hicks is headed to the 10-day DL with a right intercostal muscle strain just one game into the 2018 season. He will join fellow outfielders Clint Frazier and Jacoby Ellsbury on the DL, as well as first baseman Greg Bird. Billy McKinney has been recalled from Triple-A to replace him on the active roster.
Hicks broke out in a big way in 2017 slashing .266/.372/.475 and putting up an fWAR of 3.3, good for fifth-best on the team. With his strong showing and Ellsbury’s rapid decline, he came into the 2018 season all but guaranteed the starting CF job.