The Rangers announced that they’ve activated left-hander Joely Rodriguez from the injured list and placed first baseman Greg Bird on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Aug. 1. Bird’s dealing with a right calf strain.
The 28-year-old Rodriguez is now in position to make his Rangers debut after dealing with lat issues. The former Phillie spent 2018-19 in Japan, where he parlayed excellent production into a two-year, $5.5MM contract with Texas over the winter. Rodriguez wasn’t successful during his previous big league stint, but if all goes according to plan for the Rangers, he’ll be a steal for their bullpen.
Bird, whom the Rangers signed to a minor league contract in February, looked as if he’d debut with the club when it selected his contract July 31. Instead, another injury has cut down Bird, who has rarely been healthy during his big league career. Now 27, Bird looked like a legitimate building block for the Yankees as a rookie in 2015, but availability and production have lacked since then. Bird still hasn’t taken an at-bat as a Ranger, and considering this news, there’s a chance he won’t ever play for the team.
The Greg Bird strategy. Wait to get on a big league roster and then promptly injure yourself. Guaranteed big league pay and service time baby.
He should really do the Rich Hill strategy for a higher payday. Better yet, do the Lowrie.
The best thing I can say about Bird is he does not have a Cespedes or Ellsbury type contract because he is just like them: Always injured
Unfortunately for Bird, by being continually injured prior to receiving a gigantic, Boras-mediated contract, he executed an inverse Ellsbury Maneuver – no points from the judges. BTW, whatever happened to those competing legal claims? First the Yankees refuse to pay Ells the remaining money on his contract, claiming a breach. Then the players’ union files a grievance against the Yankees on Ellsbury’s behalf. How many years will it take to sort out that mess?
How does Greg Bird get hurt before he even plays a game for the Rangers?
Does a tree make a sound if it falls in the woods?
If it falls on Greg Bird, it does.
Ups, Bird did it again
I had such high expectations for Bird after he hit the home run off of Andrew Miller in the playoffs. It’s crazy how he can’t stay healthy. It’s a shame. Thought a new start and new team would do him good. New season, new team, same injury prone Greg Bird
it’s amazing to me, how this guy can’t stay healthy, he was a good prospect.
Well at least we can no longer blame the Yankees training staff for the slew of injuries the team faced last year.
While I thought this guy was perfect for Yankee Stadium and could have been a big-time player for them, it looks as if it was the smart thing to cut ties. How long before Sanchez gets his walking papers?
Greg Bird is 100% made of glass, or 100% taken advantage of the system… no in between
Howwwwwww does Bird keep getting hurt!? I just want to see what he can do for a full season
So did he at least make the minimum salary when his contract was selected or not until he stands at bat?
If he was added to the 25 (make that 30) man roster, which I believe was the case, then I think the answer is yes. Prorated of course, and time on the 10 day IL will not be excluded from service time. It will be interesting to see what happens on day 11: released outright, DfAed, activated?
Greg Bird should just retire at this point, incredible how often he finds himself on the IL
Bird must of learned from Ellsbury how to milk an injury and still get paid for doing nothing.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.