BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles signed outfielder Aaron Hicks on Tuesday, lower than 24 hours after Cedric Mullins went down with a strained proper groin.

Mullins went on the 10-day injured record Tuesday, however the Orioles are hoping Hicks might help defensively within the spacious outfield at Camden Yards. Hicks was launched final week by the New York Yankees with greater than 2 1/2 seasons left on his contract.

“We had noticed that he was a free agent even before the injury,” Orioles common supervisor Mike Elias stated. “When the injury occurred and it became pretty clear this was going to be an IL, it seemed like a good fit even more so at that time.”

The Orioles are accountable for paying Hicks simply $483,871, a prorated share of the $720,000 minimal wage. The Yankees owe him the remainder of his $10.5 million wage this 12 months, plus $9.5 million in every of the subsequent two seasons and a $1 million buyout of a 2026 crew possibility.

The 33-year-old Hicks hit simply .188 in 28 video games for the Yankees this 12 months. He batted .216 final season.

“We have stuff that we look at from a scouting and evaluation perspective,” Elias stated. “It’s very different from just looking at the back of a baseball card, and we hope that we get a bounceback from anyone we bring here.”

Mullins left Monday’s loss to Cleveland after he pulled up whereas working out an infield grounder. Outfielder Colton Cowser — the fifth choose within the draft two years in the past — is hitting .331 at Triple-A Norfolk, however he went on the IL previously couple weeks.

“Certainly he was building a case towards promotion consideration prior to his injury and prior to Cedric’s injury,” Elias stated. “We’ll just see where we’re at.”

Hicks was energetic for Tuesday’s recreation however not within the beginning lineup. Austin Hays, usually Baltimore’s left area, was in Mullins’ standard spot in heart.

When the wall in left at Camden Yards was pushed considerably again earlier than final season, it made left area an even bigger problem defensively.

“In this park … you really need two center fielders,” supervisor Brandon Hyde stated. “Aaron’s got a lot of center-field experience. Played left field here before also. Brings the defensive aspect and then the switch-hitting.”

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