In a city where some refuse going in the tube and having an MRI, Greg Bird has taken two in the last month. Although three weeks apart, both show Bird to have a right ankle bruise. The Yankees and Bird decided at the beginning of April that he would try and play through it.
A nagging injury that could take weeks, sometimes months, to heal, hasn’t healed for Bird in the last three weeks. While Bird has played 19 of the Yankees first 24 games, he has struggled mightily. Today he was placed on the 10-day disabled list. Chris Carter will take over full time at first base while Bird is out. Rob Refsnyder was called up to fill the roster spot.
Additional Roster Moves: Place 1B Greg Bird on the 10-day DL w/ a right ankle bruise, recall INF/OF Rob Refsnyder (#30) from @swbrailriders
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) May 2, 2017
Right Ankle Bruise Sidelines Greg Bird
Through the first month of the 2017 season Greg Bird has not been the same player who debuted in August of 2015. That August and September Bird hit 11 home runs in the 46 games he played. His swing, perfect for the short porch in right field, looked effortless. Fast forward to Spring Training this season and Bird was the most consistent Yankee. His mechanics, the swing was it was the same. He spent time during Spring Training with Andy Pettitte working on covering the inside part of the plate.
Now, in April, timing at the plate and confidence–both off. He is hitting a dismal .100. Six hits in his first 60 plate appearances, three of them came on one night (April 16 vs. St. Louis Cardinals). This could be perfect timing for Bird to take a rest. He could use some time to first off, get healthy. Secondly, and maybe more important to long term success, he could use a break mentally. The Yankees had one of the best April’s in baseball in spite of Greg Bird. Realizing that as a player, probably feeling as if he’s not carrying his fair share of the load.
A Trend Beginning?
The 24-year-old spent the entire 2016 season rehabbing a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He had a shoulder injury while playing with Triple-A affiliate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2015 as well before making his Yankee debut August of that year. Now a stint for a foot injury may be cause for concern going forward for the Yankees. While it is not easy to stay healthy for a full season, three consecutive seasons is trend starting. The best ability is availability.
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