Nationals option Jake Bird to Triple-A

The 30-year-old right-hander was acquired from the Yankees at the trade deadline. He has struggled for the majority of the 2026 campaign, registering a 5.93 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and a 31/11 K/BB ratio across 30 1/3 innings of work. He’ll function in a middle relief role.

Bird, 30 was optioned to Triple-A after the trade. The right-hander has a chance to help the woeful Nationals’ bullpen, but it’s likely just in a middle-inning role.

The Yankees will be send the Nationals four pitchers in exchange for Garcia according to Spencer Nusbaum of the Washington Post: right-handers Ben Grable, Yovanny Cruz, Jack Cebert, and Jake Bird. The 26-year-old has had a breakout season in 2026 with 23 homers and an .873 OPS over 374 plate appearances, and gives the Yankees a needed boost to their lineup. He’s played exclusively first base in 2026, but he’s played both second base and shortstop at times with the Nationals. It seems more likely that he’ll be lining up at the cold corner than those positions up the middle with New York.

Bird was lit up for five runs while getting just one out in the first game of a doubleheader, and the 30-year-old will head to Triple-A so that the Yankees can have a fresh arm. It’s feasible Bird will be back as a lower-leverage option this summer.

Bird will join the Yankees bullpen with David Bednar headed to the paternity list. Bird has a 4.88 ERA and a 27/7 K/BB ratio in 24 innings this season. He’ll slot in somewhere in middle relief.

The move makes room for Sunday’s spot starter, Elmer Rodríguez. Bird has a 27/7 K/BB in 24 innings for the Yankees this season, but it’s only gotten him a 4.88 ERA. He’ll be back.

Jake Bird is being sent down. The Yankees are in the midst of a long stretch without a day off, so they wanted to give their starters some extra rest. Cole will now face the Tigers in Detroit, rather than the Reds at home. It also sets up Cam Schlittler to pitch Thursday in Boston, rather than Wednesday in Detroit.

Ryan Weathers was placed on the Paternity List but should be back for his scheduled start, so the Yankees will add an extra reliever for the time being.

Bird earned a ticket back to the minors after struggling to an inflated 7.71 ERA across seven innings to open the season. The final straw was likely Monday’s relief outing against the Angels where he allowed three runs in his lone inning of work courtesy of a gargantuan homer by Mike Trout. The 30-year-old came over from the Rockies in a trade deadline deal last July.

Bird came over from the Rockies at the deadline and was brutal for the Yankees, allowing seven runs (six earned) on four hits in two innings. He has shown the ability to miss bats during his years in Colorado, so he remains an intriguing arm in the middle relief for the Yankees.