TAMPA, Fla. -- Aaron Hicks said that his lower back is feeling "much better" after receiving two cortisone injections in the span of six days, but the Yankees outfielder is unsure when he will be able to get back on the field.
Hicks revealed on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with chronic back pain, which has kept the switch-hitter out of the lineup since March 1.
"The true test will be getting into the cage and doing swings," Hicks said. "That's where we'll get to see how it really feels, but right now I feel great. I've got no pain right now, walking around doing all of my core stuff. I did 20 minutes on the bike today and everything went well."
The 29-year-old Hicks agreed to a seven-year, $70 million contract extension on Feb. 25, and he said that the back issues began two days later in a Grapefruit League game against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla., when he "felt a little tight" and had difficulty swinging after getting off the bus.
"He says he feels better, but he's not really doing anything yet," general manager Brian Cashman said. "I feel good about it, but until he's doing [baseball activities], it's too early to tell. The expectations are that his situation is resolvable, or on the verge of resolving."
Hicks said that he has been told the issue is muscular in nature. He is aiming to return when eligible to come off the injured list, which would be an April 4 series opener against the Orioles in Baltimore.
"I have to get ready for a season and once I'm ready to get back going again, that's what I'm going to do," Hicks said. "I'm going to prepare to get ready for a season, even though it's going to be a lot shorter than I'd like. I have to do a job and I have to get ready for it."
Numbers game
Luis Cessa turned in another sharp outing on Tuesday, scattering two hits over four scoreless innings while walking none and striking out five. The right-hander has wowed Boone, who senses that Cessa experienced significant growth over the offseason.
"He looks great," Boone said. "He got his body prepared this winter and came in in really good shape. There has been a purpose. I feel like he has a great understanding of who he is as a pitcher. I feel like the emergence of his two-seam fastball this spring is going to be something that really serves him well. I'm really excited about where he is at."
Cessa has a 0.53 ERA in 17 Grapefruit League innings, over which he scattered nine hits with one walk and 18 strikeouts.
"My friends send me screenshots [of the stats] from Twitter," Cessa said. "I'm not thinking too much about that. It's baseball, numbers are really important sometimes, but right now we're trying to be focused on the command of my pitches."
Bombers bits
Luis Severino (right rotator cuff inflammation) is scheduled to play catch on Wednesday, which would mark the end of his two-week rest period. Severino felt discomfort after snapping off a slider during warmups for a March 5 game against the Braves.
• Non-roster outfielder Billy Burns' sister, Abbey, threw out Tuesday's ceremonial first pitch. Abbey Burns is an accomplished Special Olympics athlete in equestrian and swimming. She set multiple S14 U.S. Paralympic American records, including the 50m butterfly & 100m back.
Up next
The Yankees will try the "opener" strategy again on Wednesday, sending Jonathan Holder to the hill against the Astros in West Palm Beach, Fla. Wade Miley will start the 1:05 p.m. ET contest for Houston.