HICKS Aaron could start in Game 3 WAITS today if Stanton can’t go FOR CALL

quad running out an infield single during Game 1.

Boone added the Yankees hoped Stanton sitting out Sunday and Monday would be enough to heal his quad.

“We’re kind of open now for the next couple of hours, guys will be getting treatment. But I wouldn’t even imagine that decision will happen probably until (today),” Boone said. “We’ll kind of see where he’s at and get a feel of that.”

Stanton hit a home run in Game 1 after suffering the injury and was having solid at-bats in the four postseason games. He seemed to be rediscovering his timing at the plate after missing 151 games with a long list of injuries this season.

And the Yankees, who were held to two runs Sunday night, not only by Justin Verlander but also the Astros’ bullpen, could use a big bat right now. They face an even bigger challenge in Astros’ ace and likely AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole today.

Hicks got one at-bat and two innings in the outfield in the Bombers’ 3-2, 11-inning loss in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series Sunday night.

“Just getting up there. I feel like my pre work before that was good. I feel like I was ready for that at-bat. I felt like I didn’t really have the zone,” Hicks said. “I felt like the pitch that I swung at was just a bit low, but I feel like I put a good wood on it, which is key.”

Hicks, who was originally diagnosed with a strained right flexor in the beginning of August, was shut down for the season early last month. He was facing the possibility of offseason Tommy John surgery after a second opinion revealed that his ulnar collateral ligament was compromised.

But Hicks decided he wanted a definitive answer instead of waiting and seeing if his elbow blew out. He began throwing on his own and told the Yankees he felt good enough to try to come back. He was activated for the ALCS, but did not get in the first game and even after Stanton was sidelined with a quad injury Saturday night, Boone still did not tab him.

Hicks and Boone have been adamant he is healthy and 100% to play the outfield.

“Yeah. I feel great. My body feels good. I’m ready if I get that opportunity, I’m going to be ready for it just like tonight,” Hicks said after the game Sunday night.

But Sunday night, Cameron Maybin started in Stanton’s spot. Hicks said he had no problem with the decision.

“No. Cam has been playing great for us. He’s been a clutch hitter for us. He’s been going out for defense and playing great defense, so of course not,” Hicks said. “He’s been playing. He’s a guy that has at-bats and he’s been huge for us. I can’t get mad at not playing. I’ll just wait for opportunity and I was able to get one today, and that’s pretty much what I’m doing.”

The Yankees’ only switch hitter, Hicks gives Boone some versatility with the lineup. He hit .235/.325/.443 overall this season in 59 games. He hit .266/.298/.380 as a lefty. The Astros, however, chose to leave off their lefthanded pitchers for the ALCS, which the Yankees could not have known when they submitted their official roster.