TAMPA, Fla. -- Injured New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks feels like he's ready to return to the roster for the American League Championship Series.

Hicks, who has a right elbow flexor strain and last played on Aug. 3, is among a group of players at the Yankees' complex in Tampa who were not on the AL Division Series roster.

Hick said Tuesday he is "definitely ready to go out there and play."

"For sure," Hicks said. "That's really what I'm getting ready for is to get back and play in the playoffs. Get back to playing baseball."

New York, which completed a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins on Monday night, will face either the Houston Astros or Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the ALCS on Saturday night.

Hicks is facing live pitching and throwing to bases.

"I'm pretty much doing everything," Hicks said.

Hicks watched the Yankees' series-clinching win with Rays catcher Travis d'Arnaud and his family at a restaurant in St. Petersburg.

"It's the second time that they celebrated without me, so it's one of those things that you just want to be part of it," Hicks said. "It is tough."

Others working out include outfielder Clint Frazier, first baseman Mike Ford, and pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Stephen Tarpley.

"I think all of us are ready to help if called upon," Frazier said. "It's obviously a situation that you'd rather be there, but if we're called upon I think any one of us is ready to go up there and contribute."

"It's a unique situation, especially because it's hard to break into the big leagues as it is," Frazier added. "So, I think it's one of those things when you finally do break in, it's one of the best feelings that you can have. I've had that feeling for a little bit this year, and I'm searching for that feeling again. All I can do is continue to wait."

Third baseman Miguel Andujar and first baseman Greg Bird, both out for the season with injuries, are also at the complex.

ATLANTA -- Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said he expects Adam Wainwright to be available out of the bullpen in Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.

"I would expect Waino [Adam Wainwright] to be available," Shildt said. "Dakota [Hudson] may be a little different scenario. Listen, we've got guys we have a lot of confidence in. You never say never. Extenuating circumstances."

If he gets in the game, Wainwright would be seeing the mound on two days' rest. If the ball gets to Hudson, it would mean just one day off after he started Game 4.

Jack Flaherty and Mike Foltynewicz will rematch for Game 5, but both could have pitched on Monday. In fact, Flaherty wanted in during the eventual 10-inning victory by the Cardinals.

"He said, 'I got an inning, and I got a 0,'" Shildt recalled. "Me and Mad Dog [Mike Maddux] said, 'Well, we appreciate that, but we need to take care of you, and we need to take the opportunity for Game 5.'"

On the other side of the diamond, lefty Max Fried has been a weapon out of the bullpen for Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, pitching in the first three games of the series and pinch running in Game 4. With two days off from the mound, the Braves will deploy him accordingly in Game 5.

"He'll definitely be available for that now, having two days off," Snitker said. "And multi-innings in the National League gets you the next at-bat, depending on where that falls."

With only three runs separating the two teams in the series thus far, Snitker said he doesn't expect things to change in a do-or-die Game 5.

"Yeah, it's kind of like where we're going," Snitker said. "This has been an unbelievable series. My God, both teams just banging at each other and the close games and the late-inning heroics. It's been something.

"It's been exhausting. ... I guess it's only fitting that we're going to be going out there in a winner-take-all-type atmosphere tomorrow [Wednesday]."

MINNEAPOLIS -- While the New York Yankees doused themselves with cheap drinks down the hall in the Target Field basement, the Minnesota Twins were left to wonder how 101 wins, 307 homers and so much summer fun could lead to such an abrupt autumn exit.

Minnesota's major league record streak of 16 straight postseason losses, with 13 of those defeats exacted by the Yankees, will gnaw at the franchise and the fan base for yet another year.

For the free agents to be, the 2019 regular season might well be the highlight of their time in Minnesota rather than the start of a dynastic run.

The players who return in 2020, even with their experience of October disappointment, will likely face the same questions next year about slaying the pinstriped dragon in the American League.

One bad weekend of baseball on the big stage, though, can't erase the consistency, resiliency and success displayed by the Twins as they won the AL Central division for the first time since 2010.

"So many memories. There was something special that happened pretty much every day," said catcher Mitch Garver, one of a record five players who topped 30 home runs. "We were crushing this league for a long time, and it just felt incredible.

"But that's all due to what these guys come in and do every day. They come in and put in the work, and we all stayed dedicated to our craft. We dealt with a lot of adversity, a lot of injuries, a lot of guys missing time, and it just seemed every day we found a new way to battle back and another guy stepped up. That's all you can ask of a team."

So while the Twins became the first 100-win team to be swept in a division series, they also were just the second 100-win team in Twins history. The major league record for the most home runs ever hit during a regular season will stay in Minnesota for at least a year.

Breakout performances by players like Garver, right fielder Max Kepler, shortstop Jorge Polanco, second baseman Luis Arraez and relief pitcher Tyler Duffey will serve as a foundation for next season that the Twins will surely start among the leading AL contenders.

"I'm going to take a lot out of this and learn a lot from what we just experienced," rookie manager Rocco Baldelli said. "I hope all of our players do, too. Hopefully, we're in this position again next year and again after that."

As quiet of an acquisition Nelson Cruz was at the time, the 39-year-old designated hitter gave the Twins one of the best bargains from last winter's market, which was dominated by the major-money signings of Manny Machado ($300 million) and Bryce Harper ($330 million).

Cruz, who out-homered both Machado and Harper, played for $14 million this season. And his $12 million option for 2020 is a sure bet to be exercised by the Twins.

Despite two stints on the injured list, Cruz became the third slugger in team history to reach the 40-homer mark after Harmon Killebrew (seven times) and Brian Dozier (once).

The emergence of Arraez, who batted .334 in 92 games with just 29 strikeouts after being called up in mid-May, has given the Twins additional flexibility for their roster maneuvering this winter with his ability to play left field as well as his natural spot at second base, where Jonathan Schoop will be a free agent.

Garver's success was well-timed, too, with fellow catcher Jason Castro on an expiring contract.

As for the rotation, the Twins can count on two-time All-Star Jose Berrios, who will enter his first year of salary arbitration eligibility, to lead the way. However, after that, they have holes to fill with Kyle Gibson, Jake Odorizzi and Michael Pineda about to become free agents.

The Twins have a $7.5 million option to bring back Martin Perez, but he was left off the postseason roster. Pineda's suspension for a banned diuretic will continue well into 2020, putting his return in doubt. Gibson faltered down the stretch. Odorizzi made the All-Star team, but his price tag might not be of interest to the front office.

"If I'm back, that'd be great. I've really taken a liking to here," Odorizzi said. "If not, I wish nothing but the best for everybody. These are great people top to bottom, so it's tough to end the year."

Relief pitching was a major question mark entering the season, and five members of the bullpen who appeared in more than 20 games this year were either left off the postseason roster or jettisoned much earlier.

Duffey stepped forward as a strikeout machine in the late innings, though, helping build a relatively sturdy bridge with Trevor May and trade-deadline acquisition Sergio Romo to closer Taylor Rogers.

The Twins' bullpen had a 4.17 ERA, which ranked 10th in the majors.

British number three Harriet Dart was knocked out of the Tianjin Open in the first round by qualifier Kurumi Nara.

Dart, 23, took the first set against her Japanese opponent, 26 places below her in the world rankings at 159.

But Nara fought back to level before going on to win 3-6 6-1 6-3 in two hours and 14 minutes in China.

Second seed Wang Qiang beat Arina Rodionova to set up a second-round tie against British number two Heather Watson on Thursday.

Newcastle Falcons centre Johnny Williams has received treatment after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

The ex-London Irish back, 22, completed his final round of chemotherapy on Tuesday and hopes to return to rugby.

"This came as a huge surprise and out of nowhere but these things always do and there's no preparing for it," Williams posted on his Instagram page.

Former England Under-20 international Williams played in England's win over the Barbarians at Twickenham in June.

He joined Newcastle in May 2018, with Dean Richards' side relegated from the Premiership last season.

"Lads, please make sure you don't make the same mistake I did," added Williams.

"Regularly check and if you find anything out of the ordinary, swelling or firmness be sure to get checked out by your GP straight away."

VENTURA, Calif. – USAC West Coast Midget racing legends Sleepy Tripp and Gary Zarounian have been named co-grand marshals for the 79th running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix on Thanksgiving Night, Nov. 28, at California’s Ventura Raceway.

Tripp, of Costa Mesa, Calif., scored more USAC Midget victories than anyone in history. His total of 161 lists him third on the all-time USAC win list (across all series) behind Rich Vogler (171) and A.J. Foyt (162).  The 1986 National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductee won a pair of USAC National Midget titles (1975 and 1976) and seven championships in USAC’s Western Midget Series.

Tripp also earned notoriety for his exploits in New Zealand, which resulted in numerous major race victories and championships, including an amazing nine wins in the prestigious 50-lap Classic at Auckland.  In 1985 and 1987, he also won the Belleville Midget Nationals in Kansas.  In addition to his United States and New Zealand successes, his career also included victories in Australia and Canada.

Zarounian, of Visalia, Calif., whose family owned and operated car dealerships throughout central California, immersed himself in not only auto racing but also in numerous business ventures.  The Zarounian team hired the best drivers in the business and their success was immense.  In addition to eight USAC Silver Crown victories and 11 in the USAC National Midget wars, the team fielded cars for drivers like Tripp.

During the 1980s and 1990s the Tripp-Zarounian Western team was nearly unbeatable.  Tripp won 78 USAC Western States Midget races aboard Zarounian’s immaculately-prepared No. 67.  In all, Zarounian cars won 88 Western States Midget features between 1983 and 2000 with drivers Tripp, Ken Nichols, Jeff Gordon, Donnie Beechler, Pat Bliss and Tony Hunt.  Nine of Zarounian’s 88 victories came at Ventura Raceway, all with Tripp.  Zarounian was previously inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2017.

The 2019 edition of the Turkey Night Grand Prix begins Wednesday, November 27 and closes out on Thursday, November 28, the 98-lap main event for the USAC NOS Energy Drink National and Western States Midgets.  Also in action both nights are the USAC West Coast and VRA 360 Sprint Cars, who’ll clash in special non-point races and the finale of the ARP Battle of the Beach mini-series.

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – For the third consecutive season, the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco hosts the kickoff party to Eastern States Weekend at Orange County Fair Speedway.

On Oct. 24, the Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Hard Clay Finale fires off with a doubleheader of STSS big-block/small-block modifieds and 360 sprint cars.

STSS Modifieds race in the eighth and final round of the Halmar International North Region, a 50-lap main event offering a massive $10,000 to win and $500 to take the green from a posted pay structure of $40,475. The series’ $12,500 North Region title will be decided at this event.

Joining the Modifieds are the 360 sprint cars in a 25-lap, $3,000-to-win event presented by Rapid Tire. This will mark the second appearance by the 360 Sprint Cars during the ‘Hard Clay Finale’ event.

The first Hard Clay Finale hit the five-eighths-mile in the 2017 season as a precursor to Eastern States Weekend.

In the event’s first running, Stewart Friesen charged through the field after pitting with 12 laps to go to earn the victory over Andy Bachetti, Rick Laubach, Craig Mitchell and Jeremy Smith.

A year ago, Mike Gular shocked the field and won the event, which ultimately led to him racing weekly at Orange County Fair Speedway this season. Gular bested Mat Williamson, Anthony Perrego, Tyler Dippel and Mike Mahaney.

Last year’s 360 sprint car debut saw Pennsylvania’s Lucas Wolfe invade and take the $3,000 triumph in a late-race battle with Davie Franek. Billy Van Inwegen, Justin Barger and Coleman Gulick completed the front five.

LEXINGTON, Ohio – The ARCA Menards Series will return to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the first time since 1965 when it competes at the 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course on May 30.

The race will be held in conjunction with the annual NASCAR Xfinity Series weekend, which in previous seasons had been scheduled in the month of August. The move to a new late spring date is to accommodate television coverage of the 2020 Summer Olympics.

The ARCA Menards Series last raced at Mid-Ohio in 1965, with Springfield, Ohio, native Jack Bowsher earning the victory. Since then the series has raced only sporadically on road courses, with a single event on a modified oval at the defunct St. Louis Int’l Raceway in 1986, a pair of races at Heartland Park Topeka in 1991 and 1992, a street circuit event in Des Moines, Iowa in 1994, a single event at Palm Beach Int’l Raceway in 2010, a pair of races at Road America in 2013 and 2017, and nine races at New Jersey Motorsports Park from 2008 through 2016.

The Lexington, Ohio, natural terrain road course has been home to road racing since its inception, and since the 1980s has hosted series such as the NTT IndyCar Series, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the SCCA Trans-Am, plus various amateur and professional motorcycle series sanctioned by the AMA. Stock car racing returned to Mid-Ohio in 2013 when A.J. Allmendinger defeated Michael McDowell in a shootout.

Other NASCAR XFINITY Seres winners include 2012 ARCA Menards Series champion Chris Buescher, Regan Smith, ARCA winner at Palm Beach Justin Marks, Indianapolis 500 winner Sam Hornish, 2008 ARCA Menards Series champion Justin Allgaier and Austin Cindric, who won August’s most recent race.

“We have worked diligently with Craig Rust and his team at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for several seasons trying to get the ARCA Menards Series back on their schedule, and we’re really happy to make it happen for the 2020 season,” said ARCA President Ron Drager. “We have a lot of excitement building for 2020 and additions to our schedule like Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course are a big part of it.”

“We are thrilled to add the ARCA Menards Series to our NASCAR XFINITY Series weekend,” said Craig Rust, president of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. “Each year, it’s our objective to showcase a very diverse schedule at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and bring the best of motorsports to our fans. ARCA fits that billing and is a great, returning addition to the 2020 schedule.”