TAMPA, Fla. — It’s not hard to imagine Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks being too hurt to play on Opening Day. While Hicks and his manager, Aaron Boone, were each optimistic about his sore lower back Tuesday, the problem has lingered long enough to wonder if the healing process will continue to be slower than expected.

With Jacoby Ellsbury finally set to arrive here Sunday and potential join the team Monday, could Boone look at Ellsbury — who hasn’t played since 2017 — a potential early-season factor to help in center field?

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“Not necessarily,” Boone said before a game with the Orioles at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Tuesday.

Then Boone laid out the plan for Ellsbury, which included the simple acts of the oft-injured 34-year-old actually arriving in the city and passing a physical.

“Jacoby’s been gone for so long,” Boone said, “it’s getting him back into baseball activities, and he’s going to be way behind from that standpoint anyway.

“First thing’s first with Jacoby — getting him here, obviously going through his physical (exam), and starting to introduce him again to baseball activity. That’s kind of the next step. I haven’t gotten that far down the road yet with Jacoby.”

Ellsbury missed all of last season with a variety of ailments, including hip surgery. He hasn’t reported to spring training yet due to plantar fasciitis developed while rehabbing his hip.

Ellsbury has spent the spring getting treatment and working out in Phoenix, where he lives.

The Yankees still owe Ellsbury $47 million over the next two seasons. They signed him to a seven-year, $153-million deal before the 2014 season.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.