Cashman: exploratory surgery an option for Greg Bird
The New York Yankees are exploring every option to try and figure out what is wrong with Greg Bird's injured ankle.
#Yankees GM Brian Cashman said that they could send Greg Bird for exploratory surgery to determine the cause of his pain.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) July 3, 2017
General manager Brian Cashman told reporters on Monday that it's possible that the 24-year-old will be sent for exploratory surgery. The right ankle injury has sidelined Bird for over two months, and the pain doesn't seem to be going away. The Yankees believe the injury began late in spring training, as Bird fouled a pitch off hit foot. After a fantastic spring training, Bird got off to a slow start, picking up just six hits in his first 60 at-bats. Bird landed on the disabled list on May 2 due to the right ankle injury. It appears as if he was on the verge of returning, as he played in 12 rehab assignment games. However, Bird was shut down again due to discomfort in the ankle. After more tests, Bird was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his ankle. He received a cortisone shot in the ankle, and the Yankees hoped that would help ease the pain. In a second attempt to get back on the field, Bird started taking batting practice with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Unfortunately, he returned back to New York, as the ankle injury was still an issue. The Yankees are still trying to find out what's wrong with Bird's ankle. This is what Cashman had to say about Bird's status: "Obviously, there's something going on that we haven't been able to get our hands on. Worst-case scenario, you maybe do an exploratory surgery to find out what diagnostic testing doesn't show. All diagnostic testings are negative thus far. All the diagnostic tests showed the bone bruise is healed, yet he still has pain. So far, the complaints are real. He can't play, he wants to play, and we haven't been able to get him back. That's why we'll send him to more doctors and see if there's any information that can be found. We're doing everything we can. He's trying to share all the information he can, but we're flying blind right now." Bird's absence has hurt the Yankees, who have been struggling to get offensive production from the first base position. Currently, the Yankees first baseman has managed a league-worst .203 batting average. With Bird's status up-in-the-air, the organization may be forced to explore possible trade options to improve the position. The club is hopeful that they can get to the bottom of Bird's injury and get him back on the field as soon as possible.