Greg Bird's foot inflammation makes status for Yankees' Opening Day unknown

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone says it's too early to know if first baseman Greg Bird will be sidelined for Opening Day on Thursday at Toronto because of inflammation in his right foot.

Boone said the team should learn Bird's status after he is evaluated Monday by a specialist in New York.

Bird was scratched from the starting lineup in a split-squad road game Saturday against Atlanta. Boone said CT and MRI exams showed no structural damage.

If the oft-injured Bird needs to go on the disabled list, Tyler Austin and Neil Walker could get time at first base.

Bird fouled a ball off his right ankle in the Yankees' final spring training game in 2017. He had surgery on the ankle in July and was limited to just 48 games. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Saturday that the current soreness is in a similar area.

Bird hit .190 overall last year but had eight homers and 25 RBIs in 29 games after he returned from the disabled list in late August.

The 25-year-old missed all of 2016 after having labrum surgery on his right shoulder.