REPORT: The Yankees are rumored to have forced Aaron Hicks to give up golf: Pierzynski, A. J.

There may be more background to the tumultuous breakup between Aaron Hicks and the Yankees.

A.J. Pierzynski, a veteran MLB catcher, claims that Hicks’ participation in the offseason Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions—where he finished eighth on the celebrity leaderboard following his performance last weekend—may have caused the Yankees some trouble.

Pierzynski stated on Thursday’s “Foul Territory” show, “I don’t know if this is true or not, but Aaron Hicks used to play in this event a few years ago, and the Yankees told him he had to stop because they thought that’s why he was getting injured.” “I’m not sure if that’s true, but there was a rumor that he was told to quit playing golf.”

Hicks is a dedicated golfer who has stated publicly that he “want to be Tiger” and that he hopes to play on the PGA Tour someday. The Yankees designated Hicks for assignment in May of last year following a protracted run of subpar performance.

The Yankees acquired the switch-hitting outfielder via trade in 2015, and prior to the 2019 season, he inked a seven-year, $70 million contract deal. He is presently a free agent.

In 2018, he had his greatest season in The Bronx, hitting 27 home runs and a.366 slugging percentage.

However, Hicks struggled in 2021 and 2022, batting just.211 overall with just 12 home runs, and the Yankees finally pulled the plug early in 2023.

In addition, he sustained two significant ailments while in New York: a left wrist treatment in 2021 and a right elbow injury in 2019 that required Tommy John surgery.

In 2018, he had his greatest season in The Bronx, hitting 27 home runs and a.366 slugging percentage.

However, Hicks struggled in 2021 and 2022, batting just.211 overall with just 12 home runs, and the Yankees finally pulled the plug early in 2023.

In addition, he sustained two significant ailments while in New York: a left wrist treatment in 2021 and a right elbow injury in 2019 that required Tommy John surgery.

Hicks signed with the Orioles four days after his time with the Yankees ended. There, he emerged as an unexpected success, replacing an injured Cedric Mullins in center field and hitting for a.806 OPS in 236 plate appearances.

Regarding his departure from the Yankees in July of last year, Hicks told The Post, “I wasn’t shocked, because I felt like I already saw the way they were going.” Since I seemed to be overlooked by everyone who came up [among the minors], I assumed something was going to happen. I would still be playing against some lefties in the same role. I figured that would go on and that I would never really get a chance to step in and take command of the situation.