The New York Yankees announced that they have optioned reliever Jake Bird to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. It's not official yet, but the team is expected to activate fellow reliever Mark Leiter Jr. (leg) from the 15-day injured list to take Bird's spot. Along with David Bednar and Camilo Doval, the right-handed Bird was one of three relievers the Yankees added at the July 31 trade deadline in an effort to build an elite bullpen. So far, the Bird acquisition has been a flop. The former Colorado Rockie has made three appearances for the Yankees and surrendered six earned runs on seven hits (two homers) with four strikeouts and two walks over two innings. After giving up a walk-off three-run homer to Rangers third baseman Josh Jung on Monday, Bird owns a 5.53 ERA and a 1.54 with 66:25 K:BB across 55 1/3 frames.

The New York Yankees are set to acquire right-handed reliever Jake Bird from the Colorado Rockies, according to Jack Curry of the Yes Network. The Rockies will receive two prospects - second baseman Roc Riggio and left-hander Ben Shields - in return. Bird is the second significant addition of the day for the Yankees' bullpen, which had been in dire need of help leading up to the trade deadline. The team previously agreed to acquire righty David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates. It's not yet clear if Bednar will close for the Yankees or serve in a setup role. Bird, on the other hand, is sure to work as a setup man for New York. The 29-year-old pitched to a 4.73 ERA with a 1.48 WHIP, 62:23 K:BB, and 10 holds over 53 1/3 innings with the Rockies this season. While Bird's ERA is unimpressive, underlying metrics such as xERA (3.59), FIP (3.45), and xFIP (3.46) paint a more flattering picture of his work in 2025.

The New York Yankees are interested in acquiring Colorado Rockies reliever Jake Bird before Thursday's trade deadline, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports. However, it's unknown if the Rockies are open to moving Bird. The 29-year-old right-hander is currently on a minimal salary and still has three seasons of arbitration control remaining. Adding to Bird's value, he has logged good production this year with a 4.05 ERA (3.09 FIP), 62:21 K:BB, and 10 holds in 53 1/3 innings. If the Yankees were to pick up Bird, he'd give them another much-needed high-leverage arm in front of closer Devin Williams. With Fernando Cruz (oblique) and Mark Leiter Jr. (leg) on the 15-day injured list and a dearth of reliable setup men, they're in serious need of bullpen help.

Colorado Rockies right-hander Jake Bird (groin) was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 23) with a right-groin strain prior to the team's game against the Houston Astros on June 26. It's Bird's second IL stint after he missed a month with right-elbow tightness, returning on June 17. He has gone 1-1 with one save and a 6.26 ERA in 22 games for the Rockies in 2024. "Bird threw [July 5]," manager Bud Black said on Sunday. "He's feeling good. He's close to getting out and getting back on the mound in competition, so we're excited about that. He feels good." It sounds like the 28-year-old reliever is close to being able to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, but even then, he's not going to be able to return to Colorado's bullpen until after the All-Star break next week.

Colorado Rockies right-hander Jake Bird (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with right-elbow inflammation, is likely to need a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to Colorado's bullpen. Bird made a whopping 70 appearances out of the Rockies' bullpen in 2023 but has been inefficient so far in 2024 before getting hurt. He allowed four runs while walking six in his three appearances before landing on the injured list and has a 6.10 ERA (6.35 FIP), a 1.74 WHIP, his first career save, 15 walks and 12 strikeouts in 20 2/3 relief innings this year. "We need to figure out what was going on, and we haven't quite got there yet mechanics-wise," manager Bud Black said. Righty Matt Koch finished off last year strong for Colorado and will replace Bird in the bullpen for now. He was 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA in 21 1/3 innings over 18 outings for Triple-A Albuquerque.