Shortly after the Yankees’ ALCS defeat at the hands of the Houston Astros in October, the team announced that starting center fielder Aaron Hicks required Tommy John surgery and would be sidelined eight months.

Now, just about eight months out of surgery, Hicks says he’s not quite 100 percent, but he does believe he’s “game-ready.”

“I feel good. I feel like hitting’s been going well. Throwing’s been going well. Every day I get stronger and stronger,” Hicks said on Saturday. “I mean, I obviously have days that I don’t feel great, but overall the process has been really good and really quick. I’ve been able to throw longer and be able to throw the ball a little bit harder more consistently as my progression has been going on. I’ve been able to lift heavier weights. Everything has just been going really well.

“From what I hear, it takes a while to be completely 100 percent, but I feel really good right now. I feel game-ready, to be able to compete and be able to consistently be out there in the outfield to play good defense and try to help my team win.”

And while Hicks believes he can track down fly balls and hit at game-level, it’s his throwing that he still wants to see be more consistent.

“I’m looking to throw the ball with more velocity. Right now, it’s kind of some come out, some don’t. It’s just inconsistent with throwing. When you don’t have to worry about it, it always comes out the same, but when you’re coming back from Tommy John, there are just days where it doesn’t come out. You’re trying to throw as hard as you can, you’re trying to throw to a certain speed and it’s not coming out.

“From what I hear, it’s pretty normal throughout the process, but I’m just going to continue to try to grind it out and do the best thing I can.”

The Yankees endured a number of injuries this spring training, including Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge. But thanks to the season’s delay, the Bombers’ starting outfield could be intact by Opening Day.

And a potentially healthy Hicks in center for the start of a 60-game season would be a huge boost for a team with World Series hopes.

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