Hicks’ season over after knee hurt in OF collision

NEW YORK — New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks said he will miss the remainder of the postseason after injuring his left knee in a third-inning collision with rookie shortstop Oswaldo Cabrera during Game 5 of American League Division Series on Tuesday.

Hicks underwent an MRI that revealed the injury would require a six-week recovery timeline.

“Extremely disappointing,” Hicks told reporters in relaying the news. “[This season] is obviously something special and I want to be a part of it. And now I’m no longer going to be able to play on the field to help this team win, help this team win a World Series and now I just gotta watch on the sidelines.”

The Yankees defeated the Cleveland Guardians 5-1 in Tuesday’s decisive Game 5 to advance to the AL Championship Series, which begins Wednesday in Houston against the top-seeded Astros.

With the Yankees leading 4-0 in the third inning after home runs by Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge, Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan singled on a fly ball over third base, which both Cabrera and Hicks tried to field in shallow left field.

In his attempt to catch the popup, Hicks tangled his feet and crashed with his left shoulder onto Cabrera’s upper body. Yankees manager Aaron Boone and Yankees head athletic trainer Tim Lentych immediately walked over to Hicks, who remained down for several minutes. He tested his running skills before being taken out of the game.

Cleveland would load the bases with one out against starter Nestor Cortes Jr., and catcher Austin Hedges scored on a sacrifice fly to cut the Yankees’ lead to 4-1.

Marwin González, making his postseason debut in pinstripes, was brought in as a defensive replacement. González has had limited experience playing left field at Yankee Stadium, with only eight previous appearances this season.

The Yankees have some versatility in their lineup to cover Hicks’ absence, particularly with the likely return of DJ LeMahieu (right foot discomfort) to the infield.

González and Cabrera both have outfield experience this season. Since his major league debut on Aug. 17, Cabrera has played 37 games in the outfield, including three this postseason. The speedy Tim Locastro also played 26 games in the outfield this regular season, mostly as a defensive replacement.

And Matt Carpenter, who was activated for the postseason after being out with a foot fracture since Aug. 8, also had 15 outfield appearances for the Yankees. Carpenter, who has been limited to a lefty bat off the bench, has said that he feels healthy and that playing the outfield could be on the table.