Greg Bird went from top prospect to disabled list regular. How much longer can the New York Yankees wait for him to realize his potential?
For the past few seasons, Greg Bird has truly been the word around the Yankee organization.
Bird has been talked up as the next great player in a line of top-tier infielders that the Yankees have had in their illustrious history.
It sure did look that way down in Tampa just a few months ago. The lefty hit .451 with eight home runs and 15 RBI in just 51 at-bats during spring training.
Bird appeared to be a lock for a minimum 20 home run, 70-plus RBI season.
However, after being transferred to the 60-day DL last week, Bird’s injury-riddled tenure in pinstripes is now questionable to continue.
Bird’s production during spring training all but disappeared as the regular season began. He hit just one home run with three RBI and a minuscule .100 batting average before being placed on the DL with soreness in his ankle.
He eventually felt good enough to start throwing, catching, running the bases, and even began a rehab assignment in the minor leagues.
Just as Yankee fans thought Bird would return before the All-Star break, it was announced that his rehab had been shut down due to discomfort in his leg.
After receiving a cortisone shot a few weeks ago, Bird again had fans feeling optimistic that he would be back to help the team fight for a playoff spot.
Bird’s eventual transfer to the 60-day DL is concerning, to say the least, and probably means that the first baseman will miss the remainder of the season.
This will be the second season in a row that Bird has missed significant time, having missed the entire 2016 season after having surgery to fix a torn labrum.
The Yankees only have the small sample size of spring training this year and 2015 to look at. However, Bird had a great spring training, as previously mentioned, and he hit 11 home runs and drove in 31 runs against major league pitching in 2015.
The Yankees will have to make a tough decision on whether Bird is worth keeping around.
Yes, he’s an unbelievable talent who has the ability to hit 30 home runs and drive in 90 runs any given season. However, the fact that Bird can’t seem to stay healthy may outweigh the potential positives.
After all, the Yankees have had experience with injured first basemen in the past. Mark Teixeira had to retire due to his inability to stay on the field in 2016 and Bird may be a similar case.
The Yankees have been about as patient as they can be, but after two lost seasons, Bird’s career could model that of yet another promising player whose time in professional baseball was unfairly cut short due to injury.
Next: Greg Bird...Please Come Back
It’s hard not to feel bad for Greg Bird, a player who’s worked extremely hard to get back following his torn labrum operation. Bird would also add a big boost to a struggling and injury-plagued Yankee roster at the moment.
Although his talent is undeniable, it may be time for the Yankees to move on from Bird. If he can’t get healthy, his career in pinstripes could come to an end before it even took off.
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