As the New York Yankees and New York Mets shift the Subway Series to Queens, Greg Bird is already headed to Scranton for a rehab assignment.
There is much to discuss this morning with the New York Yankees, not leaving much time for formalities.
Just as Greg Bird has no time for naysayers as the first baseman is well ahead of schedule and is taking that surgically repaired foot and is headed to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, via MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch.
Greg Bird said he will play five innings at first base for @swbrailriders tomorrow. Hopes to be back with @MLB team next week.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) August 15, 2017
Hoch went on to say that the Yankees have announced a Scranton schedule for their first baseman in repair; stating that Bird will play five innings at first base Wednesday, DH for Thursday’s game, play seven innings at first base on Friday and then DH again on Saturday. Bird himself said that he’s really excited to be playing again, despite being in a walking boot just three weeks ago.
The 25-year old is not the only one to be excitedly optimistic about his return, as Hoch also said that Manager Joe Girardi has been very pleased with Bird’s past few days of batting practice and is looking forward to Bird getting some much needed time on the field. While he was not ready to commit to the idea that Bird will be the everyday first baseman upon his return, he and Bird both anticipate a return sometime next week as long as there are no setbacks in Scranton.
Regardless; if the surgery was successful enough to get the Bird from Spring Training back and not the 6-for-60 hitter we saw in the first month of the season, it will be more impactful than any August trade acquisition and should solidify the Yankees lineup for their stretch run.
Higgy, Castro Also Sent On Rehab Assignments
Two other Yankees set to embark on rehab assignments of their own are All-Star second baseman Starlin Castro and catching prospect Kyle Higashioka.
According to Hoch, Castro is set to join the RailRiders on Friday as he attempts to reclaim the second base job following the injury to his right hamstring. Although Ronald Torreyes has been nothing “short” of spectacular in Castro’s absence, Castro was having a career year before going down and will most certainly bolster an already potent Yankee lineup upon his return.
In a corresponding move with Bird’s arrival, Scranton sent catcher Kyle Higashioka to the Staten Island Yankees in attempts of regaining his prior-to-injury form. Even though Gary Sanchez and Austin Romine have the respective starting and backup roles occupied at the big league level, any sort of injury to either one of those guys and Higgy will need to be ready to go. The first step in that process: rehab assignment.
Get well soon, fellas.
Cessa Scratched, Sabathia Set for Saturday
During Monday’s outing against the New York Mets, Luis Cessa was removed prematurely due to some upper body discomfort. Following the game one victory, an MRI showed that Cessa had sustained an injury to his rib cage and was placed on the 10-Day DL.
ROSTER MOVES: The Yankees placed RHP Luis Cessa on the 10-day D.L. with a ribcage injury and recalled LHP Caleb Smith from @swbrailriders.
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) August 15, 2017
The Yankees announced that they decided to recall Caleb Smith to fill the void left by the injured right-hander. And although Cessa was set to start in Fenway on Saturday, New York Daily News’ Mike Mazzeo reports that the Yankees brass is confident that C.C. Sabathia will be coming off his minor DL stint to face the Red Sox this weekend.
Joe Girardi indeed confirms the hope is for CC Sabathia to return Saturday vs. Boston #Yankees
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzNYDN) August 15, 2017
Which One’s the Wrestler?
Finally, from the “something you don’t see every day” department, Aaron Judge‘s dream rookie campaign continued Tuesday with a surprise from a very unlikely source.
Prior to Tuesday’s tilt with the cross-town Mets, His Excellency was presented with an official Championship Belt from a few members of the WWE for his performance in last month’s home run derby.
The best part about it wasn’t the belt itself(although it was beautifully clad with gold and diamonds aplenty); but if Judge hadn’t been in uniform, there’s no way you could convince me that anyone could decipher who the actual professional wrestler was.
Gotta love when these two worlds collide pic.twitter.com/0OwPFEdfNn
— Dan Federico (@RealDanFederico) August 15, 2017
It just makes me laugh at the thought of Judge strolling up to a wrestling ring to some cheesy walkup music, with that belt laid over his shoulder and with the obligatory scantily clad females along side.
That’s all from Yankee Universe for now. However, make sure you keep it tuned in right here at Elite Sports NY for all of your latest Yankees news and updates.
