The New York Yankees gave up on Greg Bird. Can he stay healthy with the Texas Rangers?
A familiar name, though because of his inability to stay on the field, is now in the spring mix at first base for the Texas Rangers.
Greg Bird, a former top prospect with the New York Yankees, signed a minor-league contract Tuesday with an invitation to big-league camp after the Rangers watched him at a recent workout in Florida.
Bird would make a base salary of $1.5 million if he makes the Rangers’ roster.
Bird has played sparingly after his rookie season in 2015, and he has never had more than 272 at-bats in a season. He missed the 2016 season because of a torn labrum in his right shoulder, and has dealt with ankle and knee injuries that required surgery.
The left-handed power hitter was sidetracked last season by torn plantar fascia in his left foot, and the Yankees designated him for assignment in November.
Ronald Guzman has a tenuous hold on first base as the Rangers near spring training. Pitchers and catchers report Tuesday.
Todd Frazier is expected to play first base in a possible platoon with Guzman. Bird will be given a chance to compete for a job, but he must prove to the Rangers that he is fully healthy and can stay that way.
This story was originally published February 4, 2020 at 5:26 PM.
