The Los Angeles Angels have released outfielder Aaron Hicks after he was designated for assignment just two days ago. Originally slated for every day playing duties, Hicks struggled mightily in his brief time with the club, hitting just .140 with a homer and a massive 36.5% K% across 63 trips to the plate. The ugly stint with the Angels is an unfortunate drop from what Hicks was able to do to revitalize his career after a move to the Orioles last season. Following a slow start with the Yankees, Hicks hit .275 with seven homers, six steals, and an .806 OPS across 65 games with the Orioles a season ago. He is now free to sign with any team.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Aaron Hicks has been designated for assignment by the organization on Monday. The veteran outfielder struggled during his brief time with the organization. Hicks slashed .140/.222/.193 over 18 games with the Halos. He put together a solid stint with the Baltimore Orioles last season. Sadly, Hicks couldn't translate that success over to his new team. Hicks will either decide to take the option to Triple-A or elect free agency. In a corresponding move, infielder Cole Tucker has been recalled from Triple-A to join the active roster.
Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe and outfielder Aaron Hicks will both start on the bench for Thursday's series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays. It's not surprise that O'Hoppe is out for the day game following a night game. Matt Thaiss is doing the catching and batting fifth, while Mickey Moniak is in right field and batting sixth against Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot. Neither Thaiss nor Moniak have faced Pepiot in their careers. O'Hoppe has been very hot to start the year, going 18-for-53 (.340) with two home runs and seven RBI in his first 16 games, while Hicks has been the opposite, going 7-for-44 (.159) with a homer and four RBI in his first 13 games with the Halos. Hicks has started just one of the team's last four games and is losing fantasy value quickly in AL-only leagues.
Aaron Hicks Participates In Minor-League Game Wednesday
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Aaron Hicks took part in an intrasquad game on Wednesday after he was scratched on Monday due to general soreness. Hicks landed with the Angels on a league-minimum deal this winter after he enjoyed a big season following a move to the Orioles last season. After struggling to a .188 average and .524 OPS across 28 games with the Yankees, the veteran hit .275 with seven home runs and an .806 OPS across 65 games with Baltimore a season ago. Hicks said he expects to see time at all three outfield spots this season and the plan is for him to play every day. However, the 34-year-old has a lengthy injury history on his resume as his fantasy value remains questionable given his largely subpar performance over the last few seasons.
Aaron Hicks Scratched From Monday's Lineup With Body Soreness
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Aaron Hicks was scratched from Monday's lineup against the Rangers due to body soreness. Willie Calhoun replaced him in the lineup. The Angels described Hicks' injury as "body soreness" but didn't go into further detail on what the veteran was dealing with. Hicks is considered day-to-day. He signed a one-year contract with the Angels in January, providing the team with outfield depth. Hicks slashed .253/.353/.383 with eight home runs, 36 RBI, 44 runs, and six stolen bases over 312 plate appearances in 2023. The former New York Yankee will play all three outfield spots for the Angels and serve occasionally as the team's designated hitter. With an NFBC ADP well past 600, Hicks is mainly an option in AL-Only leagues.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Aaron Hicks said it's been communicated to him that he will be an everyday player in his first year with the club. Hicks said he expects to play all three outfield spots and designated hitter occasionally. Ideally, he'd see most of his playing time at DH due to the fact that Hicks has had a hard time staying on the field in his career due to injuries. The 34-year-old veteran played all three outfield spots in 2023 with the Yankees and Orioles and is primarily a center fielder, but that will be Mike Trout's job if he's healthy. Hicks will most likely bounce around positions in Anaheim as more of a platoon player against left-handed pitchers, whom he hit .349/.446/.524 against last year. Hicks has only one season with over 20 home runs and has played in 100-plus games just three times in his 11-year big-league career.
The Los Angeles Angels have signed outfielder Aaron Hicks to a one-year deal. Since Hicks is still being paid by the Yankees through the 2025 season, the Angels will only pay Hicks the prorated league minimum for any time spent on the big-league roster. The veteran was released by the Yankees after 28 games and a .188 average last season but rebounded in 65 games with the Orioles, hitting .275 with seven home runs and an .806 OPS across 236 plate appearances, also missing some time due to injuries. The 34-year-old is a career .233 hitter with 108 HR, 73 stolen bases, and a solid 12.7% BB% across 963 games with the Twins, Yankees, and Orioles. He will compete for reps in an Angels outfield that includes Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, Micky Moniak, and Jo Adell, among others.
Aaron Hicks, Jorge Mateo Taking A Seat For Game 3 Tuesday
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Aaron Hicks and shortstop Jorge Mateo will both be on the bench to start Tuesday's ALDS Game 3 versus the Texas Rangers. The switch-hitting Hicks and righty-swinging Mateo got the start in Game 2 versus left-hander Jordan Montgomery but will retreat to the bench with right-hander Nathan Eovaldi toeing the rubber for Texas on Tuesday. Hicks notched a two-run single the first inning in Sunday's Game 2 before clubbing a three-run homer in the ninth while Mateo had quite the game himself, going 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles, an RBI, and a run scored despite the Orioles going down 11-8. Anthony Santander will take over for Hicks in right field while Gunnar Henderson returns to shortstop in place of Mateo on Tuesday.
Aaron Hicks Exits Early Monday With Apparent Cramping
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Aaron Hicks (cramp) left Monday's 8-7 win over the Astros in the ninth inning with an apparent cramp, per Baltimore Sun's Jacob Calvin Meyer. Hicks went 1-for-4 with a single, a walk, and a strikeout. He advanced to second on a past ball in the top of the ninth and slid awkwardly into second before being replaced defensively in the bottom half of the inning. Fantasy managers should check for further news tomorrow, but it sounds as though he did not sustain any serious injury. The 33-year-old has been a solid contributor since joining the O's at the end of May, batting .288 with seven home runs and 29 RBI in 177 at-bats.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Aaron Hicks (back) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Sunday. The veteran outfielder has been out since August 19 with a lower back strain but he's back in the lineup for the series finale against the Diamondbacks, batting sixth against Zac Gallen. Hicks has put together a decent stint with the Orioles so far this year, slashing .261/.355/.440 with six home runs and 20 RBI over 155 plate appearances. Colton Cowser was optioned back to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
