Big-Time Prospect Greg Bird Called Up, To Start For Yankees In Series Finale At Cleveland
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Yankees are plucking from their farm yet again.
The struggling Bombers, who have lost five straight games and suddenly find themselves in second place in the AL East, called up hot-shot prospect Greg Bird from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and inserted him into the lineup for Thursday night's series finale in Cleveland.
Bird was to start at first base in place of Mark Teixeira and bat seventh.
Yesterday Girardi said Brendan Ryan was current backup 1B and no way Teixeira would play 16 in a row. Bird's promotion seemed inevitable.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) August 13, 2015
To make room on the roster, right-handed pitcher Nick Goody was optioned to Triple-A. Right-handed pitcher Diego Moreno was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.
According to MLB.com, Bird is the fourth-ranked prospect in the Yankees' system. The top three are pitcher Luis Severino, who's made two starts in the majors this season, outfielder Aaron Judge and shortstop Jorge Mateo.
Both Teixeira and ARod are healthy, but one is 35 and one is 40 and Yankees are in midst of 16 straight games. Bird is fresh, viable back up
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) August 13, 2015
Bird, 22, was selected by the Yankees in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He was drafted as a catcher but made the transition to first base.
Greg Bird at AA/AAA combined in 2015: .277/.356/.469 in 83 games. 5th round pick in 2011, only 22 years old.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) August 13, 2015
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Colorado native has split time between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2015.
During spring training, Cashman called Bird the best hitter in the Yankees' minor league system. Now he gets chance to help listless lineup.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) August 13, 2015
In 34 games at Triple-A this season, Bird batted .301 (41-for-136) with six home runs and 23 RBIs. He also hit seven doubles and posted a .353 on-base percentage.
During the Yankees' current five-game losing streak, they've only managed to score six runs.