With just one game remaining in the month of May, the Yankees maintain a 3 game lead over Boston. They have pushed their lead over the skidding Orioles back to 4.5 games after rebounding Tuesday night behind Luis Severino and the “Bald Bombers.”
By now, it is clearly evident who has been carrying the Yanks so far this season, and it is certainly apparent who has not. Coming off a promising spring training it appeared the Yankees had their answer to their first base woes, only to see Greg Bird, their heir apparent, struggle and eventually end up on the DL.
After injuries to both Bird and Tyler Austin, the Yankees were forced to cash in their “in case of emergencies only” insurance policy Chris Carter and through two months the Yanks are right back to where they were last season at 1B.
Last in almost every offensive category.
#Yankees first basemen this season: .167/.284/.298. That’s … that’s not good. (30th among @MLB teams)
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) May 30, 2017
However, there is a light at the end of the first base tunnel as Tyler Austin is looking very strong in his extended rehab hitting .393 in 9 games between Double A Trenton and Triple A Scranton, and now Greg Bird – the opening day 3 hitter for the Yankees, is set to begin his rehab with Class-A Tampa, Thursday night.
Greg Bird is scheduled to play on Thursday for Class-A Tampa. https://t.co/Tifm6qgpjo
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) May 30, 2017
While neither Brian Cashman nor Joe Girardi have specified how long Bird’s rehab stint will last, and only that they wanted Tyler Austin to have at least 50 at bats in the minors (28 so far) since he didn’t participate in spring training, help appears to be on the horizon for the first place Yanks.
As rough as it has been this season at first base, the team has picked up the lack of production and with a healthy Greg Bird and Tyler Austin back in the fold, the first place Yanks will be that much closer to being at full strength for the first time all season.
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