The New York Yankees need help to brush off the Toronto Blue Jays to take back first place of the American League East, and the Bronx Bombers have finally got the help they needed.
The Yankees are calling up top prospect Greg Bird, according to Jack Curry of Yes Network. Bird will be with the team on Thursday against Trevor Bauer and the Cleveland Indians. There is a chance that he will start the game.
Bird is a slugging first baseman and would make for a reliable designated hitter. With the Yankees losing five straight, the team needed a different face to try and fashion a spark in the New York offense.
Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez are both very healthy, but they are older than most and need a break. The Yankees are in the middle of 16-straight games, and are willing to give Teixeira or Rodriguez a few breaks to start Bird, who is fresh and young. His role, though, is currently limited.
During spring training, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman noted that Bird was New York's best hitter in the Minor League system. Cashman is hoping that he will help a struggling lineup at the plate. As a matter of fact, Cashman labeled him "untouchable" at the trade deadline.
Just three days ago, Bird was named the Triple-A Player of the Week. The 22-year-old from Colorado hit .348 over last week with eight hits, five for extra bases, and a league leading 10 RBI.
The fifth-round pick in the 2011 MLB Draft by the Yankees is having a strong season in the Minor League's. The 22-year-old has hit .277 with 12 home runs and 52 RBI over 83 games between both Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Through 34 games at Triple-A, Bird has slashed .301/.353/.500 with six home runs and 23 RBI.
Over 347 career Minor League games, the first baseman has hit .282 with 48 home runs and 192 RBI.