The first base job for the New York Yankees will be up for grabs in 2017, and while injured Greg Bird is considered the favorite, don't anoint him just yet as the heir apparent to Mark Teixeira.

Bird is out for the season recovering from a right shoulder injury, and on Friday manager Joe Girardi told the New York Post's George King that Bird will have competition for the spot from Tyler Austin, who has enjoyed a renaissance this year in Triple-A.

Bird, 23, hit 11 home runs and drove in 33 last year for the Yankees in 46 games. He tore the right labrum in the shoulder in February and is currently rehabbing in Tampa. The team is optimistic he can play in the Arizona Fall League.

Austin, 24, was a 13th-round draft pick in 2010 and was once a rising prospect for the Yankees before injuries derailed his career. Austin is in his first full season at first base after moving from the outfield and was once a top-100 prospect. He was removed from the 40-man roster last season but has responded with a stellar season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Austin is hitting .319 with 13 home runs, 47 RBIs and a 1.055 OPS as of Friday.

The Yankees could also go after a stop-gap player for depth with such free agents to be such as Steve Pearce and Mike Napoli available.

One thing is clear -- Bird is going to have to earn the job to replace Texeira, who manned the position for eight years.

"I think there is a going to be really good competition next year, and it will bring out the best in both of them," Girardi told King. "For Greg Bird, we have always believed in him. He has to prove he is healthy. That's the most important thing, and then you go from there."