With Mark Teixeira expected to resume his duties at first base, there’s been constant debate on where Greg Bird should play during 2016. Many hoped that a good Spring Training would provide some answers, but it appears we already know his fate.
According to Joel Sherman of the NY Post, Bird will undergo shoulder surgery tomorrow for a torn labrum and miss all of 2016. The injury is a recurrence of a right shoulder injury he suffered in May of 2015.
Bird, 22, filled in nicely toward the end of 2015 when Teixeira went down with a broken leg. He hit .261/.343/.529 with 11 homers and 31 RBI in 46 games. He also turned in some nice glove-work at first base.
GM Brian Cashman said that Bird was likely ticketed to Scranton to begin the season, and no doubt would’ve been called up at some point if Teixeira or Alex Rodriguez were to get hurt. This obviously stunts Bird’s development, who was being groomed to take over the first base job after this season when Tex’s contract expires.
The Yankees have confirmed the news, and announced that Dr. David Altcheck will perform the surgery tomorrow.
I have learned Greg Bird is going to miss all of the 2016 season. Going for shoulder surgery tomorrow #Yankees
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 1, 2016
