Greg Bird, Starlin Castro To Return To New York Line Up

New York could be getting two pieces of their team back sooner rather than later in first baseman Greg Bird along with second baseman Starlin Castro.

Greg Bird and Starlin Castro could be back in the Yankees’ lineup as soon as Friday in The Bronx after the two played in rehab games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday. "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/

“All reports are good on Castro and Bird,” Joe Girardi said before the Yankees lost a wild 10-6 game to the Tigers at Comerica Park. “Anything’s possible. We’ll evaluate after [Thursday night], but we could very well see someone [Friday].” "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/

Both players went deep for SWB against Rochester and have proven to be able to play back-to-back days in the field. "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/

Depending on whether suspensions are handed down following the multiple bench-clearing fracases in Detroit on Thursday, the Yankees could have a need at catcher, since Gary Sanchez might not be available following his apparent punching of Miguel Cabrera. "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/

Matt Holliday is still rehabbing his back injury with Single-A Tampa. "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/

“It looks like his timing is coming back a little bit and he’s feeling pretty good,” Girardi said. “We’re trying to get him going and he looks good at the plate.” "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/

Aroldis Chapman pitched his second game in a non-closer role Thursday, forced into action after Tommy Kahnle was ejected for throwing behind Cabrera. "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/

Before the game, Girardi said he was still trying to determine the best way to use Chapman, who pitched 1 ¹/₃ innings in Boston as a setup man and then retired the only batter he faced Thursday. "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/

“I’ll use him any time after the fifth, kind of what I’ve done with everyone else,” Girardi said in reference to other relievers Adam Warren, David Robertson and Dellin Betances. “It gives me a lot of flexibility. The difficult part for him is it’s a new role, so I’ll try to let him know when he needs to get ready.” "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/

If the Yankees get to the postseason, Girardi said he could turn to Robertson for an Andrew Miller-type role, bringing him in any time the team gets in trouble. "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/

“Robertson has embraced it a little bit,” Girardi said. “He might be the most suited for that. Dellin has been a guy that has done it in the past.” "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/

Kahnle, who struck out all three batters he retired Thursday, had been struggling lately and Girardi blamed some of that on pitching in different situations. "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/

“All year, he’s been in high-pressure situations,” Girardi said. "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/

Clint Frazier (oblique) is taking swing with a fungo bat, but hasn’t advance to tee-and-toss. "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/

“He asks a lot of questions and is trying to learn, which is pleasing to me,” Girardi said of the injured rookie. "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/

Beginning Friday, the Yankees open a 10-game homestand and will play just 12 of their final 36 games away from Yankee Stadium. "according to http://nypost.com/2017/08/25/all-reports-are-good-bird-and-castro-about-to-rejoin-yankees/