Yankees Send Pitcher to Minor Leagues Just Days After Acquiring Him at Trade Deadline

To add on, Slater was removed from Monday's game with a hamstring injury and is now headed for the IL, so it has been rough thus far for the Yankees' acquisitions.

To make things even worse, the Yankees made a decision on Bird just days after acquiring him.

Yankees Option Recently-Acquired Pitcher to Minor Leagues

On Tuesday, the Yankees demoted Bird after just a few days in New York.

"Following last night’s game, the Yankees optioned RHP Jake Bird to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre," the Yankees X account reported.

Yes, that quickly.

Bird was acquired on July 31 from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for minor league infielder Roc Riggio and left-handed pitcher Ben Shields, but now he is being sent down just after three appearances.

Here is how Bird did in those stints:

• August 1 vs Miami: 0.1 innings, three hits (grand slam), four runs, one walk
• August 2 vs. Miami: 1 shutout inning
• August 4 vs. Texas: 0.2 innings, one hit, three runs (two earned), one walk

So, Bird's totals with the Yankees are two innings pitched and six earned runs, which amount to a whopping 27.00 ERA.

On Monday, Bird took the loss after giving up a three-run, walk-off home run to Josh Juna in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Now, he is headed to the minor leagues in a quick change of scenery.

The Yankees Bullpen Struggles are in the Forefront

As of late, the Yankees' bullpen has had a difficult time, and it isn't just Bird.

Doval, who was acquired at the deadline in a deal with the San Francisco Giants, gave up three runs (one earned) in his debut against the Marlins on August 1.

Bednar allowed two runs and four hits on August 1 against the Marlins, although he pitched a scoreless inning on Monday against the Rangers.

Devin Williams, the prized free agency acquisition and the Yankees' current closer, has a 3-3 record with a 5.10 ERA and three blown saves this year. On Monday, Williams gave up the game-winning home run in the ninth that sent the game into extra innings.

So, while Bird is the scapegoat for now, the bullpen in general has not lived up to the expectations, and it will be interesting to see how short manager Aaron Boone's leash is with the others after Bird's quick demotion.