Even Yankees Legend Reggie Jackson Trying to Help Greg Bird

Before a 7-1 loss to the Blue Jays on Monday, Yankees great Reggie Jackson offered some sage advice to a struggling Greg Bird.

It’s no secret that first baseman Greg Bird is having a horrendous start to the season. Following another 0-4 contest, the Yankees must decide the best course of action to protect the waning confidence of their 24-year-old investment.

Bird’s stats are a mess: .100/.250/.200 with one home run and three RBI. His 22 strikeouts in 60 at-bats are also quite alarming.

Though Bird has yet to publicly admit that the bruised right foot he sustained during the first week of the season has anything to do with his struggles, it doesn’t take a doctor to tell you it has to have played some sort of role in his dysfunction at the plate. I mean, it’s Bird’s plant foot. Without a stable base, there is no balance to the stance, which directly affects a hitter’s ability to time and drive a pitch.

The New York Post quoted Bird as denying the foot issue as an underlying problem.

"“I have been open to them and I am playing and giving my all,” said Bird, who missed all of last season because of shoulder surgery which also may be the reason for the dead bat. “[The ankle] is slowly getting better. When I am playing I am playing.”More from Yankees NewsRed Sox living in different financial ‘galaxy’ than Yankees Killer Rafael DeversYankees slice surprising fan favorite off roster to make room for Tommy KahnleYankees announce corresponding move, make Carlos Rodón signing officialAaron Judge puts more pressure on Yankees after being named CaptainCarlos Correa-Giants-Mets bombshell makes Aaron Judge’s return to Yankees even better"

If Bird is genuinely injured, then he’s doing a disservice to his team. I understand wanting to tough it out — be there for your teammates — work through the slump. But the only cure for a foot injury is rest. Besides, even if Bird were to hit the DL, it’s not like he’s going to lose his job to Chris Carter.

Manager Joe Girardi was asked if the team had contemplated demoting Bird so that he could rediscover his swing at Triple-A Scranton.

"“We haven’t talked about that, we still really believe in this kid,’’ Girardi said of the first baseman, who struck out looking, grounded into a double play, lofted a stress-free fly to center and reached on an error. “It’s frustrating for him and our job is to get him through this. If you are looking at a guy who is completely lost for a substantial period of time then you talk about it. I think he has some pretty good at-bats and I don’t think he has chased a lot. It’s been frustrating and we have to figure out what is best for him.”"

Perhaps the idea of once again deploying Rob Refsnyder at first base is as scary a proposition as is Carter facing anything but left-handed pitching.

New Jersey Advance Media reported that Reggie Jackson spent 10 minutes speaking with Bird outside the batting cage before Monday’s game. Jackson explained to Bird that struggles are simply a part of the game — that he needs to stay positive and “just keep going.”

I for one am glad the Yankees are giving the benefit of the doubt to a player who showed a tremendous amount of promise during his brief time with the organization. The kid has all the tools, but after missing all of 2016, we’d be foolish to think there wouldn’t be a bit of rust to knock off, even if he did absolutely murder the ball this spring.

It’s hard to trot a guy out there each and every day when his batting average is well below the Mendoza line, but we have to keep the faith. The club knows what they are doing.

Aaron Judge, who struggled mightily in 2016 — only to be sent back down to the minors, has taken the baseball world by storm this season.

So even if it takes Bird longer than expected to right the ship, the Yankees are still 15-9 — one game back of the first-place Orioles. Didi Gregorius just recently made his season debut, and Gary Sanchez is only a few days away from his return.

Next: Is Judge the Next Stanton?

When Bird does figure it out, this team will be clicking on all cylinders.