In a stunning move that underscores their recent struggles, the New York Yankees announced Tuesday morning that they have optioned right-handed pitcher Jake Bird to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The decision comes just days after the Yankees made waves at the trade deadline, parting with two top prospects to acquire the 29-year-old reliever from the Colorado Rockies.
The Yankees had high hopes for Bird, who was expected to bolster their bullpen alongside marquee acquisitions like Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar and San Francisco Giants closer Camilo Doval. New York surrendered second baseman Roc Riggio and left-handed pitcher Ben Shields—ranked as their No. 11 and No. 27 prospects, respectively—to secure Bird, banking on his potential to stabilize a bullpen anchored by Devin Williams, Tim Hill, and Luke Weaver. However, Bird’s brief stint in pinstripes has been nothing short of disastrous.
Following last night’s game, the Yankees optioned RHP Jake Bird to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) August 5, 2025
In three appearances for the Yankees, Bird has been shelled, surrendering four hits, two walks, two home runs, and seven runs (six earned) in just 2.0 innings of work. His nadir came Monday night against the Texas Rangers, where he imploded in the bottom of the 10th inning, giving up the game-losing runs in a crushing defeat. The loss highlighted the Yankees’ broader bullpen woes, as Williams also blew a save in the same game, while Bednar and Doval have each posted unsightly 6.75 ERAs in their initial outings with the team.
Bird’s overall numbers this season paint a troubling picture. The right-hander is 4-2 with a 5.53 ERA and a 1.536 WHIP, striking out 10.7 batters per nine innings but faltering with 10 holds and six blown saves. His season splits tell an even starker story: through June 10, Bird was a reliable arm, boasting a 1.41 ERA, 1.070 WHIP, 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings, eight holds, and just one blown save. Since then, however, his performance has plummeted, with a 3-1 record marred by a ghastly 14.82 ERA, 2.588 WHIP, and five blown saves in just two holds.
Despite his struggles, Bird’s track record in Colorado offered glimmers of hope. Over four seasons with the Rockies, he posted a 4.57 ERA with a respectable 1.9 WAR and a 106 ERA+, showing flashes of the potential that made him a fifth-round pick out of UCLA. The Yankees had banked on that upside, but for now, Bird will head to the minors to rebuild his confidence and refine his craft.
The timing of the move couldn’t be more critical for New York. Clinging to a precarious 1.5-game lead over the Rangers in the AL Wild Card race, the Yankees’ playoff hopes hang in the balance. Their 18-28 record since June 12 is the second-worst in the American League, and a potential sweep in Arlington could knock them out of postseason contention altogether. With their bullpen faltering and their trade deadline acquisitions underperforming, the Yankees’ decision to send Bird to Triple-A feels like a white flag in a season that once held so much promise.
As New York fights to keep their playoff dreams alive, all eyes will be on Bird in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he’ll look to rediscover the form that made him a coveted trade target. For the Yankees, the hope is that this demotion is merely a detour on the road to October glory—but time is running out.