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Greg Bird To Miss 2016 After Undergoing Shoulder Surgery

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 01: Greg Bird #31 of the New York Yankees rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the seventh inning against Jean Machi #64 of the Boston Red Sox during their game at Yankee Stadium on October 1, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

A key piece of the New York Yankees’ future suffered a major setback as the team announced that Greg Bird will miss the entire 2016 season. Bird, 23, has suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder and will undergo surgery on Tuesday.

Bird hit .261 with 11 home runs and 31 RBI in just 46 games for the Yankees last year. He was called up to be the everyday first baseman for the Yanks after Mark Teixeira fractured his right shin after fouling a ball of it in August. Among Bird’s home runs was this clutch go-ahead, three-run homer against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Teixeira is entering the final year of his 8-year, $180 million deal he signed prior to the 2009 season, which the Yankees won their 27th World Series. Prior to his injury, Teixeira was viewed as a possible MVP candidate in the American League, hitting .255 with 31 homers and 79 RBI.

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Bird was projected to be insurance for both Teixeira, 35, and third baseman Alex Rodriguez, 40, both of whom have battled injuries in recent seasons. Bird is still the apparent heir to first base if they allow Teixeira to leave following this season and is seen as a core member of the Yankees’ future, along with pitcher Luis Severino and outfielder Aaron Judge. The Yankees hope the three could be the foundation for championship teams in the future, similar to the “Core Four” of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettite.