Yankees place Hicks on DL with oblique strain

NEW YORK -- Aaron Hicks was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Sunday afternoon, one day after the outfielder strained his left oblique during the Yankees' 5-1 victory over the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.
It is the second oblique injury of the year for the 27-year-old Hicks, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list after straining his right oblique in a June 25 game against the Rangers. Hicks missed 39 games, but manager Joe Girardi said that the Yankees do not believe his current injury is as severe.
"Our hope is that when we get back from this road trip, he will be able to start swinging a bit," Girardi said. "That is our hope."
Hicks was injured while running down Hanley Ramirez's deep drive to center field in the top of the sixth inning. Jacoby Ellsbury entered the game in Hicks' place when the Yankees took the field in the seventh inning.
With Hicks heading to the DL, the Yankees announced that they have recalled rookie left-hander Caleb Smith from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Smith, 26, is 0-1 with a 6.11 ERA in seven big league appearances this season. 

Ellsbury figures to take over as the regular center fielder in Hicks' absence, though No. 2 prospect Clint Frazier (left oblique strain) is scheduled to begin a Minor League rehab assignment on Wednesday with Double-A Trenton.  
Hicks enjoyed a hot start to the season but struggled to replicate that performance after returning from the DL, going 18-for-87 with three doubles, three homers and 11 RBIs in his past 22 games. Overall, Hicks has batted .265/.367/.463 with a career-high 13 homers and 48 RBIs in 82 games.