Yankees announce ALDS roster; Greg Bird not included

The Yankees have just released their ALDS roster which includes 12 pitchers, two catchers, five outfielders and six infielders. Greg Bird is nowhere to be found.

For those that were holding out the tiniest bit of hope that Greg Bird would get the chance to replicate his 2017 ALDS magic, this time versus the Red Sox, fuggedaboutit! Hours before the start of Game 1, the Yankees released their 25-man roster, and Bird is nowhere to be found.

In all honesty, it’s not much of a surprise considering the train wreck of a season the 25-year-old first baseman just finished. Not to mention, Bird wasn’t on the Wild Card roster either.

A year that began, yet again with an injury (ankle), culminated in a dreadful .199/.286/.386 slash line with 23 runs scored, 11 home runs and 38 RBIs in 272 at-bats (a career-high 86 games played).

Had it not been for Bird’s “potential” and the fact that general manager Brian Cashman and company truly believed Bird could become that much-need left-handed bat in the middle of the order to break up the conglomerate of righty’s, Bird should have spent ample time in ’18 down at Triple-A Scranton.

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Perhaps because the club was waiting for Luke Voit to come back down to Earth inevitably, Bird stuck around. However, Voit is doing all he can to put those Shane Spencer comparisons to rest.

In 39 games with the Yanks, in which the 27-year-old monster didn’t see regular playing time until the second week of August, “Louis,” is hitting .333 with 14 home runs, 33 RBIs and a 1.095 OPS. Voit has started all but five games since Aug. 24.

As for the rest of the Yankee ALDS 25-man roster, manager Aaron Boone has decided to go with 12 pitchers: Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, Zach Britton, Chad Green, David Robertson, Jonathan Holder, Stephen Tarpley, J.A. Happ, Masahiro Tanaka, Luis Severino, C.C. Sabathia and Lance Lynn.

The five outfielders include Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks, Andrew McCutchen and Brett Gardner. There are also no surprises behind the plate as it will be Gary Sanchez and Austin Romine.

In the infield, the Yankees will go with Luke Voit, Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andujar, Didi Gregorius, Neil Walker and Adeiny Hechavarria.

Despite Bird’s career Postseason line of .250/.421/.500 with three homers and six RBIs in 44 at-bats, Neil Walker’s left-handed bat and defensive versatility gave him a leg up. A case could have been made for Hechavarria’s spot; however, Hech is a fantastic fielder and the perfect late inning replacement for Andujar or Torres.

Perhaps if the Yankees and the Indians were to meet in the ALCS, Aaron Boone might have a change of heart and add Bird for that one moment where the stars align for him to face Andrew Miller once again.