Bird (ankle) played three innings in a simulated game Wednesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bird is set to return to game action after appearing in another simulated contest. He'll play six innings Thursday for High-A Tampa. Given he has been sidelined for around a month, he'll need at least a few rehab games before rejoining the Yankees.

Bird (ankle) is slated to begin a rehab stint Thursday at High-A Tampa, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bird progressed to taking at-bats in a simulated game over the weekend, and it seems like he's finally ready to return to game action. The 24-year-old has now been on the shelf for just about a month, so he'll likely face a somewhat lengthy rehab stint, making it unlikely that he'll be ready to return to the Yankees lineup until at least next week.

Bird (ankle) is expected to go to Tampa on Sunday to take part in extended spring training, Dan Martin of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bird was able to take grounders Tuesday for the first time since sustaining the bone bruise in his ankle that landed him on the disabled list, and has already progressed to taking light swings. He'll begin facing live pitching at extended spring training, but then the first baseman will likely move up to a minor league rehab stint during the middle of next week. Given his slow start to the season and the fact that he missed all of 2016 with an injury, Bird will likely be taken along with extreme caution, so it appears he still could be multiple weeks away from joining the big league club.

Bird (ankle) will begin hitting off a tee Monday, Brendan Kuty of NJ.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bird began some light running last week, and manager Joe Girardi reported that the first baseman is progressing well. The 24-year-old will still be taken along with caution and will slowly have to work his way up from Monday's tee and toss session to hitting live pitching, meaning he'll likely remain out through at least the end of May. Chris Carter figures to continue getting the bulk of the action at first base in his absence.

Bird (ankle) did light running Thursday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although Bird was able to increase his level of movement Thursday, it appears he's still weeks from returning. Manager Joe Girardi said that the club hopes Bird will be cleared to participate in baseball activities early next week, so a more specific timeframe for Bird's eventual return should become available as his workouts intensify. While Bird is out, Chris Carter is in line to continue spending time at first base.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Sunday that Bird (ankle) could be "weeks" away from returning from the disabled list, Mike Mazzeo of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bird, who hit the disabled list May 2 with a bone bruise in his right ankle, has yet to receive clearance to resume baseball activities and won't do so until his ankle pain subsides completely. Cashman's comments don't seem to indicate that Bird is especially close to ramping up his workouts, so those in single-season leagues in need of an extra bench spot may be better off cutting bait with the 24-year-old. Chris Carter is expected to see the bulk of the starts at first base while Bird is sidelined.

Manager Joe Girardi said Thursday that Bird (ankle) is improving but still not ready to resume baseball activities, Erik Boland of Newsday reports. "Until he's pain-free, there's no reason to start," said Girardi.

EDGE Analysis

Bird had his ankle reevaluated Thursday, and while Girardi didn't get into specifics, it sounds as though the power hitting first baseman still needs some time before ramping up his activity level. Chris Carter and Matt Holliday figure to continue splitting first base duties as long as Bird is on the shelf. Once Bird begins on-field work, the Yankees will have a clearer time frame for the slugger's return.

Bird (ankle) is expected to be re-evaluated Thursday, the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bird has been shut down since landing on the DL with a bruised right ankle back on May 2. He is without a set timetable for a return to action, but a timetable should start to take shape once he's cleared to resume some activities. The 24-year-old suffered the injury during the Yankees' final Grapefruit League game -- he fouled a ball off the ankle -- and went just 6-for-60 while attempting to play through it.

Bird won't participate in any baseball activities for 7-10 days, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Yankees had been monitoring Bird's ankle for some time, but an MRI on Tuesday revealed that it hadn't healed as much as the team had hoped. Due to Bird being shut down for at least seven days, he could be in line to miss more than the required 10 days. If that turns out to be the case, he would likely be out until the latter end of May. Until Bird returns, Chris Carter is in line to play first base.

Bird won't participate in any baseball activities for 7-10 days, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Yankees had been monitoring Bird's ankle for some time, but an MRI on Tuesday revealed that it hadn't healed as much as the team had hoped. Due to Bird being shut down for at least seven days, he could be in line to miss more than the required 10 days. If that turns out to be the case, he would likely be out until the latter end of May. Until Bird returns, Chris Carter is in line to play first base.