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.
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.
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.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Colorado native has split time between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 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.
