Cashman: Surgery for Tanaka, Voit, and Hicks

New York Yankees General Manager, Brian Cashman, held a season ending press conference Thursday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. Among topics discuss, Cashman disclosed some injury news and three key members of the Yankees roster will go under the knife this offseason.

Starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs in his elbow. First baseman Luke Voit will have surgery to repair core muscle injuries. Outfielder Aaron Hicks will have Tommy John surgery on Oct. 30.

Hicks missed the end of the Yankees regular season but returned for the American League Championship Series. Hicks was hopeful to avoid surgery, but will now be out 8-10 months. That puts his return between late-June and late-August, midway through the 2020 season.

Voit returned to the Yankees roster late in the season. However, his struggles since returning from the Injured List resulted in the Yankees leaving him off the postseason roster.

Tanaka was the Yankees most consistent starting pitcher in the postseason – something he has been throughout his career. In 2019, Tanaka had some ups and downs through the regular season, finishing 11-9 with a 4.45 ERA.

Tanaka and Voit are expected to be ready for the beginning of Spring Training. The expectation is that Tanaka will remain a key figure in New York’s starting rotation. The Yankees have could have a logjam at first base. Voit should return, as will DJ LeMahieu, though the later can play other infield positions. The Yankees could also re-sign Edwin Encarnacion.

The Yankees have many offseason questions. Will they re-sign shortstop Didi Gregorius? Will they be able to lure a big time starting pitcher in Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg?

One move that seemed likely already, but now even more so, is the team re-signing outfield Brett Gardner. The left-handed, gold-glove outfielder had a career year at the plate and can fill in in center field with Hicks out.