Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced on Wednesday afternoon that the team has no plans to skip Masahiro Tanaka’s next start, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. Tanaka (5-6, 6.55), who has lost his last five starts and has given up 18 home runs in his last seven outings, is scheduled to face the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on Sunday.
First baseman Greg Bird is en route to join Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and will play at Lehigh Valley (Phillies affiliate) on Thursday, per Hoch. Bird, who landed on the disabled list in early May with a right ankle injury, began his rehab with High-A Tampa last week, and has hit .353 in 17 at-bats (six games).Â
Gary Sanchez, who has hit second in the batting order 24 times this season, has been moved down to the sixth spot for Wednesday night’s game against the Red Sox. Sanchez is 5-for-26 in his last six games. Outfielder Aaron Hicks, who’s reached base safely in 13 straight games, will hit second.
Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury still remains day to day (concussion). He last played on May 24.Â
