New York Yankees

Aaron Hicks, a backup outfielder, is giving Yankees manager

Joe Girardi plenty to think about when he fills out the lineup card.

Hicks matched a career high with four hits and three RBI against the Chicago Cubs on May 6. It was the most hits he has had in a game since Aug. 12, 2015, when he also had four while with the Twins.

A switch-hitter, Hicks was batting .338 with a 1.121 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in his first 23 games.

His three-run homer gave him six this season, and he also scored the winning run in the Yankees’ 18-inning victory against the Cubs on Sunday at Wrigley Field.

Hicks started the game in center field in place of Jacoby Ells

bury, who hadn’t had a start since May 1 because of a nerve problem in his left elbow. Ellsbury was back in the lineup Sunday.

“We’ve talked about rotating these guys and finding time for Hicksy,” Girardi said. “He has played well all year.”

Said Hicks, “I’m just going to be ready for the opportunities that I get. Of course, the better you play, the more opportunities you’re going to get.”

Ellsbury had reached base 26 times on catcher’s interference over his 11-season career coming into the week. He was three shy of Pete Rose’s all-time record.

The five runs the Yankees scored in the first inning against the Cubs’ Brett Anderson on May 6 were the most they’ve scored in the first since scoring six April 6, 2016, against the Houston Astros.