NEW YORK -- When Zack Britton’s Orioles hosted the White Sox on April 29, 2015, a game during which the gates were shuttered at Baltimore’s Camden Yards due to civil unrest, the left-hander said that playing in front of no fans was an experience that he hoped never to repeat.

He had been able to hear everything from the mound, even the baritone of play-by-play announcer Gary Thorne calling pitches. As such, when it became clear that all Major League games would be played in that environment this season, Britton wondered how it would affect the level of competition.

• Yanks-O's postponed; DH Fri. at 4:05 ET

With more than half the season complete, Britton believes the game play has been up to par, but he senses that the energy of a packed Yankee Stadium can’t be replicated by artificial means.

“We’ve talked about how big an impact a crowd normally has on hitters, especially here in New York,” Britton said. “In a big situation with some hitters, the crowd is really, really loud and hitters get over-aggressive in certain situations, and maybe chase some pitches. You don’t have that this year.”

Britton said that he has discussed those observations with the rest of the club’s relievers, who largely agreed. Britton said that the bullpen has stressed the importance of maintaining a high level of focus, since hitters aren’t likely to be distracted by 40,000 rowdy voices.

“We’ve noticed a little better quality of at-bat due to the fact that [hitters] don’t have the emotion of the crowd to sway them one way or the other,” Britton said. “I think the same thing goes for the pitching aspect. I’ve been a visitor in Yankee Stadium, and I understand how big of a factor the crowd would be. I feel like it seems guys are more relaxed.”

Walk this way

Aaron Hicks would prefer to raise his batting average, which rested at .209 entering Thursday, but the Yankees have been pleased with the outfielder’s plate discipline. Hicks has worked 30 walks in 146 plate appearances, contributing to a .377 on-base percentage.

“He’s getting on around 38 percent of the time this year so far and hasn't even got it rolling yet,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I think just speaks to how well he controls the zone. Aaron's just so good at laying off of pitches out of the zone. I feel like he's real close to going on a run where he starts to hit the ball out of the ballpark in combination with his ability to get on [base].”

Comeback trail

Third baseman Gio Urshela (bone spur in right elbow) took on-field batting practice and ground balls on Thursday. Boone said he expects Urshela to be activated from the injured list when eligible on Tuesday.

Right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga (undisclosed non-COVID medical condition) is “doing really well” and could throw from a bullpen mound on Friday, according to Boone.

Arm added

Left-hander Ryan Buchter has been signed to a Minor League contract, added to the 60-man roster and assigned to the Yankees’ alternate training site. The 33-year-old was 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 relief appearances with the Angels before being designated for assignment on Sept. 2.

In 267 relief appearances with the Braves (2014), Padres (2016-17), Royals (2017), Athletics (2018-19) and Angels (2020), Buchter has compiled a 2.90 career ERA.

This date in Yankees history

Sept. 10, 1922: The Yankees played their final regular-season game at the Polo Grounds, posting a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Athletics. They would move into the state-of-the-art Yankee Stadium the following spring.