The New York Yankees have announced that first baseman Greg Bird is heading to the injured list again. No time table has been set for Bird’s return. but with his injury history, this could be yet another prolonged stay.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees placed 1B Greg Bird on the 10-day IL (retroactive to 4/14) with a left plantar fascia tear and selected INF Mike Ford from @swbrailriders and signed him to a Major League contract.
OF Jacoby Ellsbury was also transferred to the 60-day IL.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 16, 2019
Greg Bird Joins New York Yankees IL
Bird’s Injury history
Bird’s injury history has been well documented. Since he debuted in August of the 2015 season, Bird has had nothing but injury after injury. Bird suffered a torn labrum and missed the entire 2016 season. In May of the 2017 season, Bird again went to the injured list with a bruised right ankle. He was also dealing with another foot injury he suffered at the end of Spring Training. Bird eventually returned at the end of August and finished the season injury free. In March of 2018, Bird yet again had to return to the injured list to have ankle surgery. Bird returned at the end of May but would eventually lose his starting job to Luke Voit.
Going Forward
Bird has always shown flashes and that is why the Yankees will not give up on him. With the Yankees dealing with so many injuries Bird would have received a lot of playing time. Instead, he is going join New York’s laundry list of injured players. With 32 home runs in 611 career at-bats Bird has given indication he can produce. But he cannot stay on the field. His superior defense would have kept him in the mix, but at some point, the Yankees must consider moving on from Bird. Does he get added in a trade for a big player the Yankees need to compete this season?
Yankees Outlook
This is yet another injury the Yankees have to deal with. The defending champion Boston Red Sox bad start has definitely lessened the urgency for the Yankees to make a splashy move. The great depth the Yankees had in Spring Training has diminished, but they still have enough capable players to stay afloat in the American League East. Are the Yankees going to be patient enough to wait for these injured players to come back, or will they get frustrated and make a trade?
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