LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Among Greg Bird’s many attributes that continue to tantalize the Yankees, speed is absolutely not one of them.
On Saturday, however, the first baseman’s teammates found themselves remarking, lamentably, over just how expediently Bird departed Champion Stadium with an ailing right foot, his return to active play unknown.
“I came in, and he was already gone,” Tyler Wade said.
“He was kind of out before I knew what was going on,” Aaron Hicks said. “It was quick.”
It was quick, and consequently, Bird’s desire to prove himself as a reliable Baby Bomber couldn’t be going more slowly.