TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Greg Bird is stronger, healthier and ready to challenge Luke Voit for the New York Yankees’ first-base job.
After three injury-marred seasons, the 26-year old Bird reported to the Yankees’ spring training complex in early January and checked into camp at 230 pounds, up about 20 from the end of last season.
“I was able to start over and get to where I needed to be, and work from the ground up,” Bird said Thursday after homering off Masahiro Tanaka in a simulated game and adding a single against left-hander James Paxton.