Yankees Insider: Greg Bird is the first word

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Updated: September 4, 2015

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Greg Bird homers off lefty Henry Owens on Wednesday.

BOSTON − Greg Bird spent two days watching and waiting as GM Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi openly voiced their difference of opinion about whether the Yankees would be better off starting Alex Rodriguez at first base to face Red Sox lefty Henry Owens.

When the debate ended with Girardi finally agreeing that A-Rod at first base was, as Cashman said, “something you don’t want to see,” Bird had a chance to make a statement and did.

He roped a home run off Owens into the right-field stands, the first of five bombs the Yankees hit in their 13-8 win at Fenway Park on Wednesday.

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One of the organization’s top prospects, Bird was brought up to provide an occasional off day for Mark Teixeira. It has turned into much more since Teixeira has been sidelined for more than two weeks by a bone bruise on his lower right leg. Bird is the de facto starter now.

The flirtation with A-Rod at first base aside, Bird has given little reason to doubt that he is the high-ceiling prospect the Yankees see. He is batting .254 with three homers and 12 RBI in 18 games.

“I’m pleased with the way he swings the bat. I think he gives you a really good at-bat every time he goes up there,” Girardi said. “He’s taking his walks and I don’t know how many games he’s played, but I think he’s got 12 RBIs − that’s pretty good.”

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Bird didn’t know if he would be the starting first baseman Wednesday until he arrived at the park and saw the lineup. He said all he did was prepare to be ready to play, whatever Girardi’s decision would be.

He has started against both righties and lefties all through his career and now he is adjusting to the way southpaws attack lefty hitters at this level.

“It’s definitely different, but I say that between lefties and righties anywhere, not just here,” he said. “It’s definitely something I think I’ve worked on the last few years. It’s something that I’m comfortable with.” . . . CC Sabathia will pitch to hitters on Friday for the first time since pain in his right knee forced him from his Aug. 23 start and on to the disabled list. He is eligible to come off the DL in less than a week. . . . Infielder Cole Figueroa was outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.