BOONE’S BIRD BACKUP PLAN

PORT CHARLOTTE — Greg Bird went to New York on Sunday, and the Yankees will find out the severity of his right foot injury on Monday, when the 25-year-old first baseman visits with specialist Dr. Martin O’Malley.

Bird underwent an MRI and CT scan on Saturday, which revealed no structural damage.

“I’m at least a little bit optimistic, based on the pictures, but tomorrow should tell us a lot as far as what it is time-wise,” Aaron Boone said before his team wrapped up its Grapefruit League schedule. “Hopefully we’ll get some good answers tomorrow.”

Bird hasn’t been ruled out of Thursday’s opener in Toronto yet. But you do wonder if the Bombers will be extra cautious with him given his injury history. And if Bird does miss time, the Yankees seem well-equipped to handle his absence.

Last season, the Bombers finished second in baseball in runs scored despite Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorius, Aaron Hicks and Bird missing significant time at different points. And during the offseason, they added reigning NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton to the mix, add another intimidating power threat to the lineup.

Bird did post a .938 OPS with three homers in the playoffs, but that’s still extremely far off at this juncture.

“I think we’ll be fine, no matter what it is,” Boone said. “Sometimes it’s a war of attrition. In majorleague sports, you’ve got to have depth because you can get clipped by the injury bug at some point. We feel like we can withstand it and we’re equipped to handle it.”

At first, the Yankees seem to have two main options if Bird can’t go: Neil Walker and Tyler Austin.

Last season, Walker, a 32-year-old switch-hitter, posted an .842 OPS in 296 atbats against righthanded pitching. But Walker posted just a .610 OPS in 84 at-bats against lefties, making Austin potentially a nice complement based on matchups. Austin, 26, who won't make the team if Bird is fine, has a 1.154 career OPS in 36 at-bats versus southpaws. “I’m really comfortable at first base,” Austin said. “I’ve worked my butt off the last couple years to get better over there, and I feel good.” Boone said there could be scenarios where Walker and Austin could both start in a game, with Walker moving over to second, where he’s been slated to split time with Tyler Wade based on matchups. It could also open up some additional opportunities for solid utility man Ronald Torreyes as well.

“I feel prepared,” Walker said. “I played quite a bit of first at the end of last year. Obviously more than anything you don’t like to hear that Greg (got hurt) — whatever the situation is — hopefully the results are positive and he doesn't miss any time. As talented as he is, we don’t want him to miss any time. But like I’ve told you guys, whatever role I’m asked to be in is what I'm going to do.” till, Boone feels bad for Bird, who, despite his immense talent and potential, can’t seem to stay healthy.

“He’s frustrated,” Boone said. “As I’ve mentioned, we feel like him being able to play and go out there on an everyday basis is the only thing keeping him from being a premiumtype player. There's a feeling that, I'm sure he was trying to grind through something. I do, yes. I feel for him. But hopefully it's a short-term thing and it's just a little bump in the road to start here.”

It may have been why Bird hit .154 during the spring.

“It’s possible,” the manager said. “If you're not as strong as you should be on your front it could compensate

you a little bit mechanically.”

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