The New York Yankees have signed first baseman Greg Bird to a minor league contract. He will be reporting to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre, a familiar place for him. The 29-year-old was released by the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this week, despite having a solid spring with the club. Over 11 games and 28 plate appearances this spring, he slashed .261/.393/.565 with two home runs and a double. We could be a few injuries away from seeing Bird in pinstripes once again.

The Toronto Blue Jays released first baseman Greg Bird on Monday, according to a source. The Jays were strongly considering adding him to the 40-man roster this spring, but they have decided to part ways instead. There's a chance that Bird could re-sign with Toronto, but other teams will likely have interest in him after a strong spring showing. The 29-year-old was sporting a healthy .958 OPS in spring training with two home runs, six RBI and a .261/.393/.565 slash line in 11 Grapefruit League games over 28 plate appearances. Once considered an intriguing left-handed power bat for the New York Yankees, Bird could latch on elsewhere as organizational depth at first base.

The Toronto Blue Jays signed first baseman Greg Bird to a minor league deal on Thursday. Bird played in parts of four major league seasons with the New York Yankees from 2015-19 and spent last year with the Colorado Rockies Triple-A affiliate, where he hit .267 with an .894 OPS and 27 home runs. The 29-year-old left-handed slugger never got his career off the ground in the Bronx due to injuries, but the Blue Jays are an intriguing landing spot. In his four seasons with the Yankees, Bird hit .211/.301/.424 with 32 home runs and 98 RBI in 700 plate appearances over 186 games. It will be an uphill climb for Bird to make it back to the big leagues, but he's worth keeping an eye on in the minors in 2022.

The New York Mets placed left fielder Yoenis Cespedes on the 10-day disabled list Saturday because of a strained right hamstring, possibly ending his 2017 season.The Mets activated infielder Jose Reyes from the disabled list, called up outfielder Travis Taijeron from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioned right-hander Kevin McGowan to their Triple-A team.Cespedes left Friday night's game 4-2 win over the Washington Nationals in the first inning after he hobbled around third while running the bases. He is hitting .292 with 17 homers and 42 RBIs in only 81 games this year because of various injuries.Reyes, who was on the disabled list since mid-August because of a sore left ribcage, is hitting .223 with nine home runs and 39 RBIs in 114 games. Taijeron is batting .272 with 25 home runs and 78 RBIs in 125 games for Las Vegas. McGowan allowed one run in 1 1/3 innings in his one appearance for the Mets.--The Kansas City Royals placed left-hander Danny Duffy on the 10-day disabled list with elbow impingement... [More]

NEW YORK -- New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird was activated from the disabled list before Saturday's game against the Seattle Mariners after missing more than three months with a bruised right ankle.Bird returned to New York's lineup Saturday, batting sixth.The saga of Bird's ankle began late in spring training when he fouled a ball off the ankle. It spoiled an exhibition season where he batted .451 and seemed ready to assume the role of New York's regular first baseman after missing last season recovering from shoulder surgery."It's been a long interesting, unique journey," Bird said. "I'm glad to be back now."Bird never got going and was hitting .100 (6-for-60) with one homer and three RBIs to go along with 22 strikeouts in 19 games. The Yankees decided to place on the disabled list May 2, hoping sufficient rest would cure the ankle.Instead, Bird's first rehab stint in the minors was cut short and he underwent ankle surgery July 18, creating doubts if the 24-year-old would return... [More]

New York Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda needs Tommy John surgery for a torn ulnar collateral ligament, the team announced Friday.Pineda, 28, plans to get a second opinion before opting to have the season-ending procedure, but Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the team has recommended surgery.Pineda's last start was on July 5 when he gave up nine hits and five runs in just three innings against the Toronto Blue Jays.Pineda is 8-4 with a 4.39 ERA and 92 strikeouts over 96 1/3 innings in 17 starts this season. He was 6-2 with a 3.32 ERA in the first two months of the season.The Yankees have lost 17 of their last 25 games and are 3 1/2 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the American League East.Cashman told reporters prior to Friday night's road game against the Red Sox that the Yankees will be "careful buyers" as the July 31 trade deadline approaches.The Yankees also announced first baseman Greg Bird also is seeking a doctor's second opinion about having surgery for inflammation in his ankle.Cashman said Bird will either need surgery that would keep him out at least another two months or will get another cortisone shot to get through the season.Bird, 24, is hitting .100 (6-for-60) with one home run and three RBIs in 19 games. He missed all of the 2016 season after having shoulder surgery and was placed on the disabled list May 2.

Bird is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Orioles, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

With the Yankees clinched as a playoff team, several starters are sitting for the first half of a doubleheader against Baltimore. There's a good chance Bird comes back for Game 2, but backup catcher Austin Romine will fill in at first base in the meantime.

Bird went 1-for-4 with his 11th homer of the year against Boston on Thursday.

That's 11 homers in 43 games -- a 162-game pace for 41 long balls. As a big, left-handed playoff hitter, Bird is a great fit for Yankee Stadium, but he's actually hit more than half his homers on the road. He still needs to improve his plate discipline, but there's a lot to like in the long run here.

Bird went 2-for-5 with a double and go-ahead two-run homer in Tuesday's 6-4 extra-inning victory over the Blue Jays.

The rookie continues to garner invaluable experience in Mark Teixeira's absence and has truly hit his stride at the plate in September. Bird now has a seven-game hitting streak during which he has blasted five homers, and he has also reached base safely in 10 consecutive games. Even more impressively, Bird has now homered in three straight game and has already amassed an amazing 18 RBI in September. With Teixeira out for the remainder of the 2015 campaign, the 21-year-old first baseman will continue to be a vital component of the Yankees' postseason push.

Bird reached base three times Sunday, going 1-for-3 with a home run, three RBI, and a pair of walks in the win over the Mets.

Bird has filled in admirably with Mark Teixeira out for the season, as the 22-year-old has worked to a solid .250/.336/.518 line. He's also riding a modest five-game hitting streak, collecting three homers, seven RBI, and two doubles in that span.

Bird did most of the work for the Yankees' offense Wednesday, hitting an RBI double and a solo homer in a 3-1 win over Tampa Bay. He also drew a walk.

Bird's had an up-and-down start to his brief time in the majors, as he hasn't hit for much average -- just .248 -- but has drawn walks and hit for power. He's homered on consecutive days and walked in three straight games -- a good sign for the rookie as he tries to close out the season in strong form.

Bird isn't in Sunday's lineup against the Blue Jays.

Bird played one of the two games yesterday, but will sit for the third time in five games Sunday. Dustin Ackley will receive the start at first base in his place, batting seventh for the club.

Bird is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader with the Blue Jays, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The 22-year-old has started every game for New York since Aug. 17, but will yield first-base duties to Dustin Ackley in the nightcap after going 1-for-5 with a double in Game 1. With Mark Teixeira (leg) ruled out for the year, Bird will likely continue to play on an everyday basis.

Bird continued his recent hot streak, launching another home run Monday in the Yankees' win.

The neophyte has been raging hot in September, hitting safely in five straight games while hitting three home runs and driving home seven. With Mark Teixeira ailing, Bird has been a force at first base for New York.

Bird went 2-for-4 with a walk, home run, two RBI, and two runs scored in Wednesday's 13-8 win over the Red Sox.

With Mark Teixeira set to miss the next few weeks due to a bruised shin, Bird should have a good amount of job security as the Yankees' everyday first baseman for much of what remains of the season. Though he's battled through a brief slump or two, the 22-year-old has performed well in his first exposure to the big leagues, slashing .254/.333/.429 over 72 plate appearances.

Bird went 2-for-4 and scored three runs while driving in two more in Sunday's 20-6 win over the Red Sox.

Bird entered the lineup for a fourth consecutive game after Mark Teixeira aggravated a leg injury. Teixeira is expected to sit out again in Monday's series opener against the Red Sox, likely affording Bird another start at first base. The rookie has flashed plenty of potential during his first 15 games in the big leagues, but he's probably worth avoiding in daily formats Monday since he'll be facing a same-handed starting pitcher in southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez.

Bird is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Astros.

Mark Teixeira's return to the lineup doesn't bode well for Bird's playing time moving forward, but the young first baseman filled in admirably in Teixeira's absence. Bird's biggest contribution was a two-home run outing last Wednesday against Minnesota.

Bird went 2-for-4 with a pair of two-run homers Wednesday against Minnesota.

Bird's first homer gave the Yankees a first-inning lead, and the second one gave them a 4-3 lead, which turned out to be the game-winner. The bombs were the first two of his five-game career, and he's also had hits in four of those contests.

Bird went 2-for-4 with his first career RBI in Tuesday's win over the Twins.

With Mark Teixeira suffering from a "significant" bone bruise, Bird appears to be in line to get at least a few starts this week at first for the Yankees. The 22-year-old has shown promise thus far, going 4-for-14 with a couple of hard-hit outs along the way.

Bird is in the lineup at first base Thursday against Cleveland, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Bird was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre earlier Thursday, and he'll spell Mark Teixeira at first base, as the veteran gets the night off.