HOUSTON — Greg Bird could be playing in minor league games within a week, according to Yankees manager Aaron Boone.
“Greg is doing very well,’’ Boone said before the Yankees’ 4-0 win over the Astros Wednesday night.
The first baseman, who opened the season on the disabled list, is coming back from a second ankle surgery in two years.
David Robertson is more than a reliever with a crisp breaking ball and experience in big spots. In Tuesday’s 4-0 win over the Astros, Robertson tapped his left toe on the mound before delivering a pitch to Jose Altuve. He did the same to the Orioles’ Jonathan Schoop earlier in the season.
“You look around the league and guys are so strong and quick so it’s good to do something different,’’ said Robertson, who used the tap on a 2-2 pitch that was called a ball. Altuve followed with a single. “Trying to do something to throw their timing off.’’
The Yankees’ hitters and starting pitchers have played a big part in winning 11 of the past 12 games. The bullpen’s work, however, can’t be overlooked. In those 12 games, the relievers have worked 98 innings, allowed 67 hits, fanned 101, walked 34 and posted a 1.65 ERA.
Most encouraging is Dellin Betances being very sharp in his past three outings. In six innings, he allowed one hit, fanned seven and didn’t issue a walk. During the 11-1 stretch, Aroldis Chapman, Chad Green, David Robertson and Betances have held opposing hitters to a .164 (10-fo-61) average , struck out 25 and allowed 10 hits.
The Yankees signed right-hander David Hale and put him on the 25-man roster. To make room for Hale, who appeared in one game for the Yankees this season and was designated for assignment, the Yankees moved Jacoby Ellsbury from the 10-day DL to the 60-day DL.
Ellsbury started the season on the DL with an oblique problem, developed a hip issue and was recently diagnosed with planter fasciitis.
Boone said Tommy Kahnle is playing catch with no problems and Adam Warren is close to starting that exercise. Kahnle is on the DL with right shoulder tendinitis and Warren is out with a strained right back.
