Hicks, Sabathia added to Yankees’ playoff roster

Astros shore up bullpen with relievers Peacock and Abreu

HOUSTON — Aaron Hicks and CC Sabathia were added to the Yankees’ roster for the AL Championship Series against the Astros, replacing Tyler Wade and Luke Voit.

The Astros added right-handed relievers Brad Peacock and Bryan Abreu to their roster and left off starter Wade Miley and utility man Myles Straw.

Hicks had been sidelined since Aug. 3 because of a flexor injury near his right elbow. In the first season of a $70 million, seven-year contract, the 30-year-old switch-hitter batted .235 with 12 homers and 36 RBIs in 59 games. Hicks began the season on the injured list after hurting his back early in spring training and didn’t play his first game until May 15.

Hicks could start in center field, causing Brett Gardner to shift to left and Giancarlo Stanton to designated hitter in moves that improve the Yankees’ outfield defense.

If the Yankees want to keep Edwin Encarnacion in the starting lineup and sacrifice infield defense, Encarnacion could start at first and DJ LeMahieu could move to third in place of Gio Urshela.

The 39-year-old Sabathia, who is retiring after the postseason, missed the Division Series against the Twins because of a sore pitching shoulder. The left-hander was 5-8 with a 4.95 ERA in 22 starts and one relief appearance — the Yankees moved him to the bullpen during the final week of the regular season to prepare for the playoffs.

Wade and Voit did not appear in the three-game sweep. After returning Aug. 30 from a stint on the injured list caused by a sports hernia, Voit hit .200 with two homers and eight RBIs in 80 at-bats.

Miley was put on the ALDS roster despite a 16.68 ERA in five starts to end the regular season. But the Astros decided to leave him off the roster for this round after the left-hander allowed four hits and three runs — two earned — in one relief appearance in the division series against the Rays.

Peacock was left off the ALDS roster after missing time late in the season with discomfort in his throwing shoulder, but he has looked good in recent bullpen sessions and could be used as a long reliever in this series.

Abreu is a rookie who appeared in just seven games this season but performed well in limited work, posting a 1.04 ERA.

MIKE STOBE/GETTY Aaron Hicks appeared in only 59 games for the Yankees this season due to injuries.