Bird (ankle) said that he's noticed some improvement in his condition, but he'll remain out Sunday against the Orioles, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Yankees had already ruled Bird out through the series finale with the Orioles after he was diagnosed with a bruised right ankle prior to Saturday's contest, but there's some hope he'll be able to return to the lineup during the impending series with the Rays. Though he seems to have made progress in his recovery from the injury, Bird battled a stomach ailment much of Saturday night, so it wouldn't be surprising if the Yankees kept him out Monday as a precaution. Chris Carter will serve as the team's first baseman and occupy a spot in the heart of the lineup until Bird is back in action.

Bird (foot/ankle) saw an Orioles team physician Saturday who felt a CT scan was not necessary. He is considered day-to-day.

EDGE Analysis

He has already been ruled out until at least Monday, which will open up some playing time for Chris Carter. It sounds like Bird dodged anything more serious than a bruise, and he should return next week. His slow start and the uncertain return date make him a risky play in leagues with weekly lineups.

Bird is dealing with a bruised right ankle and won't play until Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The good news here is that X-rays came back negative and manager Joe Girardi just wants him to get some rest before returning to heavy action. Bird says he fouled a ball off the ankle in spring training and only re-aggravated it in Friday's loss to Baltimore, the likely explanation as to why Chris Carter filled in as a pinch hitter in the ninth. Expect him back for Monday's home opener, barring further setbacks.

Bird is not in Saturday's starting lineup against the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

It looks like a rest day to allow Bird to get his head right. The lefty is off to a rough start from the plate, batting 1-for-16 with seven strikeouts through four games. It's certainly not the performance the Yankees are looking for out of their No. 3 hitter, but a stat line which should rebound as the season continues. Chris Carter will man first base in his absence.

Manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday that he is "leaning toward" batting Bird third in the order, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

In the new-look Yankees batting order, Jacoby Ellsbury would bat fifth behind Brett Gardner, Gary Sanchez, Bird and Matt Holliday. By breaking up Gardner and Ellsbury (both lefties) at the top, Girardi feels "it makes it harder to navigate" through the lineup. Bird has been on an absolute tear this spring, smacking 15 extra-base hits (seven homers) in 55 plate appearances, solidifying his grip on the starting role at first base.

Bird cranked his seventh home run of Grapefruit League play Saturday against the Blue Jays, Greg Zeck of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bird has been smashing the ball, tying Kansas City's Peter O'Brien for the most homers in the spring. Of his 20 hits this spring, 15 have been of the extra-base variety with seven homers, seven doubles and a triple. He missed all of the 2016 season due to a tear of the right shoulder labrum, but apparently he is ready to make up for lost time.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi confirmed that Bird will be the team's starting first baseman, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bird might have faced a bit of pressure from Chris Carter if he had struggled this spring, but the 24-year-old has put the issue to rest by posting a .421 batting average and four home runs in 38 Grapefruit League at-bats. Bird also made the most of last year's late-season call-up, recording a .261/.343/.529 slash line with 11 home runs in 46 games (157 at-bats). He could still be rested semi-regularly against southpaws but should be locked into the lineup against all right-handers.

Bird is expected to be the team's starting first baseman, Mike Mazzeo of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Following the retirement of Mark Teixeira at the conclusion of last season, Bird appeared to have the inside track to take over at first base and it appears he still maintains that edge despite the late offseason signing of Chris Carter. Bird missed all of 2016 with a shoulder injury and though he was only able to participate in the Arizona Fall League as a DH, the 24-year-old is heading into spring training fully healthy and with no restrictions.

Bird (shoulder) was activated off the 60-day DL on Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bird missed the entire season after undergoing shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum in February, but he's been slowly ramping up activity lately and was able to take batting practice in September. The 23-year-old is hoping to make up for the lost season by playing in the Arizona Fall League. With the retirement of Mark Teixeira, Bird enters the offseason as the team's likely starting first baseman next season.

Bird (shoulder) took batting practice with the Yankees on Monday, Peter Botte of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bird was ruled out for the 2016 season after undergoing shoulder surgery in February, but he's turning his attention to getting back on the field for the Arizona Fall League. In addition to doing some hitting Monday, Bird also threw in the outfield for the first time since his surgery. If Bird proves himself fully healthy during fall instructionals and AFL play, he'll enter spring training as the favorite to start at first base for the Yankees in 2017 with Mark Teixeira headed for retirement.