The Minnesota Twins activated Aaron Hicks, Wednesday and optioned him to Class Double-A New Britain.
Hicks has been struggling with the bat again this year. He hit just .198 in 48 games with the Twins before he was placed on the disabled list, with a shoulder injury.
According to FOX Sports Net, Hicks has resumed switch-hitting, during his rehab stint.
He had decided to ditch hitting left handed and focus solely on hitting right handed in late May. But his struggles at the plate continued and so he once again switched his approach.
“It’s his career,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He’s got to decide what’s best for him right now.”
The move will give him some time to work on his swing. In the meantime, Sam Fuld will man centerfield for the Twins.
The Pioneer Press reports Hicks hit just .238, 5-for-21, since reporting to New Britain.
Aaron Hicks, by my count, still has an option year after this. Today he was optioned to Double-A, Twins announced. http://t.co/2hsPHBRZRQ
— Derek Wetmore (@DerekWetmore) June 25, 2014
Hicks, 24, was drafted by the Twins in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft. 15oo ESPN writer Derek Wetmore points out that Hicks still has plenty of time to turn things around, but he says the team clearly doesn’t see Hicks as a Major League contributor right now.
Despite the disappointment, Twins General Manager Terry Ryan has remained supportive of Hicks.
“If he doesn’t have any confidence hitting from the right side against right-handed pitchers, there’s no sense in forcing the issue,” said Ryan. “Now he’s got to get to work on batting from the left side. I’m going to support Aaron Hicks on how he feels most comfortable coming up to the plate. He’s still a young man, and there’s still a lot of upside.”
Hicks played 81 games, last season, after making the 25-man roster out of spring training, but he struggled with the bat in the regular season. Hicks hit just .192 with 27 RBIs for the Twins. Those struggles had continued so far, this season.
