Optimism for Didi return, but Hicks has hammy scare

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Already without Didi Gregorius due to torn cartilage in his right wrist, the Yankees had Aaron Hicks exit Monday’s 4-1 win over the Rays due to a tight left hamstring. The center fielder left the game before the bottom of the fourth inning and was replaced by Brett Gardner. “It’s been tight now for a couple of days,’’ Hicks said. “Today’s the day they took me out of the game.’’ Hicks grounded out in each of his two at-bats before being removed. He beat out a potential double-play ball in the top of the third in his second plate appearance. Aaron Boone said he saw Hicks stretching his leg in the outfield in the bottom of the third, which led him to make the move.

“A hamstring is not something you want to roll the dice with,’’ Boone said.

Hicks also had fouled a ball off his left ankle on Saturday before he delivered the game-winning double to clinch the Yankees’ spot in the wildcard game.

Gregorius suffered his injury sliding home on the play.

On Monday, the shortstop expressed optimism that he would be back on the field before the end of the regular season after feeling a “big improvement” in his right wrist following Sunday’s cortisone injection.

“I feel good about it,” the shortstop said. “[The wrist] is feeling stronger.”

He is slated to be reevaluated Wednesday, which Boone said will be the key test. The Yankees conclude the regular season Sunday in Boston, and the wild-card game is Oct. 3.

Dr. Michelle Carlson, hand and upper extremity surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, said there were indications that Gregorius might not just be able to play through the injury, but might be unimpeded by it.

“He didn’t feel it right away, which is a positive sign,’’ Carlson said of the fact that Gregorius didn’t have pain in the area until he woke up on Sunday. “That means it’s likely from inflammation, so the cortisone could help. The best-case scenario is it doesn’t bother him at all. But he could feel it when he rotates his hand or bends his wrist.’’

Carlson added that because Gregorius is a left-handed hitter, he may be more impacted by the injury than if he were a righty.

Surgery, which is so far not an option, would take months to heal.

Gregorius had a large ice pack on his wrist Monday as the team took early batting practice, but later wore just a band on his wrist.

Boone is hopeful Gregorius, if he continues to improve, will be able to begin baseball activities shortly after being examined on Wednesday.

“He has to get a ball and bat in his hands,’’ the manager said. “But at least today, it’s another sign of optimism. We’ll keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.”