Yankees OF Aaron Hicks injures knee in Game 5 collision, out for rest of season

For the third time in the five-game AL Division Series, the Yankees had trouble with a pop-up to shallow left. This time, it cost them not only a base hit, but also a player.

Aaron Hicks says his season is over after an MRI revealed he will be out for six weeks with a knee injury he suffered in a collision with shortstop Oswaldo Cabrera in the third inning of Tuesday night’s 5-1 victory over Cleveland in Game 5.

“Extremely disappointing. [This season] is something special and I want to be a part of it,” Hicks said to reporters after the game. Hicks was not more specific about the injury.

The Yankees advanced to play in the ALCS beginning Wednesday in Houston. Hicks, who started the last two games of the ALDS, left the game and was immediately taken for an MRI. It was not immediately clear who would replace Hicks on the ALCS roster.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa came into the game for defense in the seventh in what had been Hicks’ spot. Kiner-Falefa was benched after three defensive misplays in Game 3. Boone said he thought the shortstop was “pressing” in his first postseason.

One ball was hit to Kiner-Falefa on Tuesday: the last one of the series. Kiner-Falefa fielded Myles Straw’s grounder and flipped to Gleyber Torres at second for the final out.

“It meant a lot to me,” Kiner-Falefa said. “Just happy to be able to contribute. I’m just happy I was able to keep my head up. I stayed ready.”

Torres immediately broke into a “rock the baby” motion to mock Josh Naylor of the Guardians, who did an extended “rock the baby” motion while rounding the bases after homering in Game 4 in Cleveland.

The ball on which Hicks was injured was hit by Steven Kwan. It appeared to glance off both Cabrera and Hicks’ gloves and was scored a single. Both players appeared to be calling for the ball and neither gave ground.

Josh Donaldson was also in the area. He retrieved the ball as Hicks went down in pain. Hicks was tended to in leftfield for a few minutes before he limped to the Yankees’ dugout.

The single led to the Guardians’ run.

Hicks was replaced in left by Marwin Gonzalez. In the sixth, Gonzalez was pinch hit for by Matt Carpenter with the Yankees leading 5-1 and two men on. Carpenter struck out.

Kiner-Falefa replaced Carpenter’s spot at short with Cabrera shifting to left. Boone could have put Tim Locastro into the game in left.

“He was ready,” Boone said of Kiner-Falefa. “He was prepared. Last couple days, hasn’t sulked at all. It’s like, get ready for my chance, and he’ll play a big role moving forward for us, too.”

The Yankees saw bloops to shallow left fall in crucial situations in both of their ALDS defeats (Games 2 and 3).

As for the ALCS, DJ LeMahieu and rookie shortstop Oswald Pereza are candidates to be added to the roster. LeMahieu took batting practice on the field before Game 5 and said his injured toe feels “a little bit better.”

Said LeMahieu: “I’m hopeful I can be on the ALCS roster.”

The Yankees took 12 pitchers for the ALDS and didn’t use three of them: Miguel Castro, Domingo German and Lucas Luetge didn’t appear in the series.

The Yankees might go with 13 pitchers for the seven-game ALCS. Righthanders Frankie Montas (shoulder inflammation) and Ron Marinaccio (stress reaction, left shin) are candidates if they are healed.

Montas, who was acquired at the trade deadline in part because of his history of success against the Astros, hasn’t pitched since Sept. 16. Marinaccio last pitched on Oct. 2.

Boone said Andrew Benintendi (wrist) will not be ready for the ALCS and that the final roster would be hashed out on the plane to Houston.

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By Anthony Rieber

anthony.rieber@newsday.comAnthonyRieber

Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.