HICKS TO THE SHELF & FRAZIER GETS SNUBBED

Here we go again.

The Yankees have placed Aaron Hicks on the Injured List (again) with a right flexor strain and he won't throw for the next seven to ten days. So it sounds like no Tommy John surgery, which is good news for the Yankees. But even with a hole left now in the outfield, it doesn't sound like it will be good news for Clint Frazier.

It didn't take long for Aaron Boone to say "NO" when he was asked if Frazier would be returning to the Bronx. Instead, it sounds like the Yankees will rely on Mike Tauchman and Cameron Maybin to share a part-time gig while Brett Gardner will get the majority of the fielding time. So now we sit here and will continue to debate....has Frazier been given the shaft by the Yankees? Honestly, it is easy to make an argument for either "yes" or "no."

We have watched Frazier shine at times this season but there have also been a lot of struggles. His offense contributed to the Yankees success early in the season, but his defensive woes hurt the team also and led to a rocky relationship with the media. You have to wonder if his actions after being demoted have caused a rift that can't be repaired. It doesn't look good when you clear your Instagram account, unfollow your teammates and then take almost 72 ours to report for your new assignment.

Boone says there is no bad blood between the Yankees and Frazier, read more HERE.
Maybe there isn't but since the Yankees demoted Frazier they have called up Tauchman, Mike Ford, Breyvic Valera and Tyler Wade instead. Boone says these holes were filled based on positional need and the roles those players cold fill rather than choosing them over Frazier.

So did the Yankees not call Frazier up because Hicks can be filled in the same platoon or positional basis? Considering how Frazier has been on a hot streak lately you could say now would be his time to shine. It would be the opportunity to show the Yankees that he is the right guy in the future. We've always thought he was being groomed for a future role, right?

So then why all of the trade talk?

If the Yankees are still high on Frazier like Boone just said were the Yankees just doing their due diligence at the trade deadline? Or, are the Yankees quietly waiting for another opportunity to move him?

September call-ups will be here before we know it, but until then this is an interesting story to follow. The Yankees didn't have to wait until next month to call him up. They could do that now while he is on a hot streak. So....is not calling him up a mistake? I don't know. I still can't decide "yes" or "no."

Get better Hicks, we need you back. That's the only easy "yes" answer.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj