Greg Bird could play in rehab games within the week
Yankees first baseman Greg Bird has been making progress since undergoing ankle surgery last month. And while Bird was given a 6-8 week recovery period, it appears Bird could return to the Bronx sooner rather than later. Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced Bird could start a rehab assignment sometime this week, says Marc Carig of The Athletic.
Boone says Bird could be playing in rehab games games within the week.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) May 2, 2018
Bird underwent hitting drills last week, which was the first time Bird was on the field since removing the bone spurs from his ankle. If all goes according to plan, Bird could return to the Bronx Bombers within the next couple of weeks. Bird's been bit with the injury bug since last season, but the first baseman hopes that he'll stay healthy once he returns from the disabled list. Currently, the Yankees have Tyler Austin at first base, but Austin isn't giving up the position so easily. Austin hit .286/.365/.554 with three homers and 13 RBI during the month of April. The Yankees view Bird as the primary first baseman but if Bird wants to keep that role, he'll have to produce once he returns.