Yankees injured first baseman Greg Bird defended himself Friday against a published report that questioned his desire to come back from his ankle injury.

"I want to play," said Bird, who has been limited to 19 games this year. "I've always wanted to play since I can remember. I love baseball. For me, I'm doing everything I can to come back. I love it and I want to be playing with these guys. I would hope people see it."

The newspaper report quoted a "Yankee insider" saying, "You really wonder what's with this guy. You'd think with Judge and Sanchez, the guys he came through the system with, doing so well up here he'd want to be a part of this. Apparently not."