Greg Bird Injury Ramifications - The Bronx Pinstripes Show #55

This week we react to the surprising news that Greg Bird will have shoulder surgery and miss the entire 2016 season. We discuss the impact Bird's absence has on ARod and Teixeira, how Girardi will now have a harder time shuffling the lineup around to give guys rest, if the Yankees will bring in first base help on the major league or minor league level, how Bird missing the entire season may stunt his growth as a player, and if this injury is cause for concern in 2017 and beyond. We also talk about Jeter potentially attending spring training this year and take a Twitter question regarding ARod's future with the team. You can get involved with the show by submitting a mailbag question, story, or rant here. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Call the voicemail line: 646-480-0342.

There is no doubt that Greg Bird missing the entire 2016 season negatively impacts the team, despite the fact that he was expected to start the year in Scranton. The Yankees have old players at key positions; giving Teixeira, ARod, McCann, Beltran, and others regular rest will be critical to the Yanks' success this year. Without Bird, Girardi will have to plug in lesser players when giving them rest. This also hamstrings the team if Teixeira or ARod go down with a major injury, which unfortunately is a real possibility. Even if Tex, ARod, and others stay healthy this season, Bird missing the entire year hurts his future. He is going to be counted on to replace Teixeira as the full time first baseman in 2017. This season was going to be a luxury for him -- he was going to be able to go through sophomore struggles without the scrutiny of being a full time player. Now, when 2017 rolls around, he will be counted on to be an everyday player with only 46 games at the big league level under his belt.

  This shoulder injury may also be cause for concern down the road. Bird apparently suffered an injury to the same shoulder back in May 2015 which landed him on the DL. He was able to rehab and return last season, but the injury resurfaced at some point this offseason and surgery -- not rehab -- is required. On this week's episode I pose a conspiracy theory as to why/how the Yankees handled this injury news. I also want to give a shout-out to @JoeZMcFly for the Twitter question about ARod's future with the Yankees after his contract is up. Submit mailbag questions here. Call the voicemail line: 646-480-0342. Hit us up on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Check us out in iTunes. If you like the show, please give us a rating and review. Follow @ScottReinen and @Yankees_talk.