Yankees endure Aaron Hicks scare: Latest on ankle

Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks rolled his ankle in a 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, August 16, 2018 (8/16/18). He hopes to play Friday, when the Yankees open a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays as part of a season-long 11 game homestand.

NEW YORK —  Center fielder Aaron Hicks had no trouble walking on the field during Family Day at Yankee Stadium, but in a potentially troubling sign, he seemed to labor during a short jog to retrieve a kick ball.

His right ankle was also heavily wrapped.

WHAT HAPPENED: Hicks rolled his right ankle beating out an infield single in the eighth inning of a 3-1 loss to the Rays on Thursday.

He stretched for the bag and his right foot caught the edge of the right side of the base. He pulled up lame and limp-walked to second base with trainer Stevie Donohue and manager Aaron Boone at his side.

Hicks stayed in the game.

Yankees report cards

WHAT HICKS SAYS: He hopes to play Friday.

“Just feels a little weird right now but I’m about to go to the training room, get it wrapped up and be ready to play (Friday),” he said.

Did he think it was worse initially?

“No,” he said. “I feel like when I was running out there I felt pretty good. So just a little sore right now. Just be ready for (Friday).”

WHAT BOONE SAYS: “Yeah, I mean, when I see (Hicks) trailing down the line, I didn’t see the play or see what happened … first thing when he’s walking slow and (first base coach Reggie Willits is) walking with him, you fear hamstring, muscle pulls or whatever. I guess it was rolling the ankle a little bit on the bag, which is hopefully better than obviously pulling something, as long as it’s not too significant. We’ll obviously get with him here — after he’s good enough to stay in the game — and see the severity of it and see if there’s any swelling in there.”

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.