Around the Empire: Yankees news - 4/17/19

NJ.com | Brendan Kuty: In case you missed it, another name was added to the Yankees’ ever-growing injury list on Tuesday. Greg Bird suffered a plantar fascia tear in his left foot and was placed on the IL. Obviously no injury is good, but the one Bird suffered could have him out for possibly a couple months.

NorthJersey.com | Pete Caldera: Beyond this latest one, Bird has a long injury history and has struggled for most of the last two seasons. While the Yankees liked him enough to put him on the roster to start the season, it’s not an impossibility that this is the beginning of the end of his Yankee career.

SNY | Danny Abriano: Up in New York in Bird’s place is Mike Ford, who has gotten off to a hot start in Triple-A this season. Ahead of his debut, whenever that may be, here are some things to know about the newest Yankee.

NorthJersey.com | Pete Caldera: In some better injury news, Aaron Hicks appears to be progressing. Hicks went through drills on Tuesday, and is due to begin taking batting practice on Thursday. He’ll be completing his rehab with the team rather than returning to Tampa to finish up. It’s unclear when exactly he’ll be back, but hopefully minor league rehab games are on the horizon.

ESPN: The Yankees’ struggles so far this season have been well-documented, but the Red Sox have joined them in having a less than stellar start. While it’s still only April, both teams sit several games behind the Rays. If not now, when should either team start to panic about their season?