Greg Bird Nearing a Long-Awaited Return to Yankees Lineup

New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird could be back with the team as early as this week after missing extended time with an ankle injury.

After landing on the 10-day DL in early May, Greg Bird has made numerous attempts to get back on the field, eventually being placed on the 60-day DL due to a nagging ankle injury. He had surgery in early July, and, although manager Joe Girardi hasn’t said exactly when Bird will rejoin the Yankees, the 24-year-old is making a strong case to do so sooner rather than later thanks to quality play during his current rehab stint in Scranton Wilkes-Barre.

In just four games with the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate, Bird has been great, going 8-for-17 with two home runs, four RBI, and six runs scored. Bird’s two home runs came in one game on August 18 against the Durham Bulls in which he went 2-for-4 with three RBI. In 11 total games with the RailRiders this season, Bird is hitting .289 with two home runs, five RBI, and nine walks.

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Although his early success in his brief time in Scranton could signal an earlier-than-expected call-up, first baseman Tyler Austin’s production at the plate since getting called up himself could delay Bird’s return for at least a few days.

In three games, Austin 4-for-11 with a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. He hit two singles against the Mets in the fourth and final game of the Subway Series Thursday night and cranked a huge three-run home run over the Green Monster at Fenway Park against Chris Sale on Saturday.

Still, Greg Bird would be a welcomed addition to a Yankee lineup in desperate need of some left-handed power. Brian Cashman and the front office did make a push for Jay Bruce in hopes that he could have taken advantage of the short porch in right field, but the New York Mets traded him to the Cleveland Indians instead. The Yankees need Bird to be a power bat from the left side of the plate on a team riddled with right-handed power.

Regardless of when Greg Bird’s return to the lineup will be, Yankees fans should be thrilled that the vaunted first baseman will actually return to the team this season. That nagging bone bruise in his ankle appeared to be season-ending at first, and his future with the team was hazy at best.

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With a productive final month-and-a-half of the regular season, that hazy future will be clear as day.

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