New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks will undergo Tommy John surgery to repair damage in his elbow, according to Marc Carig of The Athletic.

Hicks is expected to miss nearly half of the 2020 season, depending on the rehab timeline. The news might also alter New York's strategy in free agency.

The 30-year-old played in just 59 games this season, and the elbow injury sidelined Hicks from the beginning of August until the ALCS.

With Giancarlo Stanton ailing and Edwin Encarnacion struggling at the plate, Yankees manager Aaron Boone inserted Hicks as a starter in the outfield. Hicks responded by hitting a three-run homer in the first inning of Game 5 that would eventually turn out to be the game-winning hit.

Hicks has traditionally been known for his defensive prowess, but he broke out at the plate in 2018, slashing .248/.366/.833 with 27 homers. The Yankees had hoped to immediately insert him into the lineup as a key cog of the lineup, but obviously not much went as planned for New York this season.

The Yankees have decisions to make in light of this news. Veteran outfielders Brett Gardner and Cameron Maybin will be free agents this winter. Youngster Clint Frazier can play in the outfield, but there is also concern about depth given Stanton's durability issues.

New York has a very specific need for starting pitching, and there have been rumors about their potential pursuit of Gerrit Cole. However, they are also more likely to bring back at least one of Gardner or Maybin because of Hicks' injury.