The Yankees should soon find out how long they will be without Tyler Austin, who is expected to have his appeal of the five-game suspension stemming from last week’s brawl at Fenway Park heard as soon as Thursday.
Austin has filled in well for Greg Bird at first while Bird rehabs after ankle surgery. Before his 0-for-4 on Tuesday, Austin had been 8-for-19 with three doubles in his previous five games.
The Yankees signed Adam Lind to a minor league deal on Wednesday, as insurance at first.
Lind was with the Yankees briefly during spring training and will report to the team’s player development complex in Tampa on Thursday for extended spring training, since he wasn’t picked up by another team after he was released by the Yankees on March 14.