Greg Bird is back with the Yankees, activated from the disabled list before Saturday night’s game against the Angels.
And instead of sending down Tyler Austin — who, like Bird, is a first baseman — or a spare pitcher, the Yankees optioned Ronald Torreyes to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to open a roster spot.
Torreyes spent each of the last two seasons in the majors, as the Yankees value his ability to play second, third and short, as well as hit consistently in a part-time role.