Sanchez, Hicks avoid DL; more tests for Bird

OAKLAND, Calif. — Early Friday night, it didn’t appear Gary Sanchez or Aaron Hicks would be headed for the disabled list. Greg Bird’s situation, however, wasn’t as clear.

“He had a CT-Scan and an MRI [exam] and both showed nothing different,’’ Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “The bone bruise [in his ankle] has healed, but he is going to see Dr. [Robert] Anderson in Charlotte [N.C.] on Tuesday. The concern is that he felt that he couldn’t play and we can’t pinpoint the reason.’’

Bird fouled a pitch off a knee recently while on a minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but according to Cashman, that isn’t causing a problem.

Neither Sanchez, who has an abductor muscle problem on his right side, nor Hicks, who has a lower left leg injury, was in Friday night’s lineup.

“I feel better, better than yesterday,’’ Sanchez said. “Day-to-day now. I am available to play. It’s up to them.’’

Sanchez said he didn’t go for tests.

“We feel pretty good about how they felt [Friday],” manager Joe Girardi said. “The good thing either one got worse and sometimes that’s what you are concerned about when the adrenaline wears off.

“[We’ll] give them a day off and see where they are at.’’

However, recalling catcher Kyle Higashioka from Triple-A was a strong indication the Yankees were protecting themselves from being caught short at a crucial position.

Outfielder Mason Williams was also elevated from Scranton/WilkesBarre to provide outfield insurance. He started in center field Friday.

The Yankees placed right-handed reliever Adam Warren on the DL on Friday with a trapezoid problem, and they sent Giovanny Gallegos to Triple-A.

Sanchez left in the ninth inning of Thursday’s 8-7, 10-inning loss for pinchrunner Ronald Torreyes. He had suffered the right abductor muscle injury while sliding into second during a stolen base in the ninth inning.

Hicks felt something in his lower left leg — Girardi mentioned the Achilles-tendon area — while exiting the batter’s box in the eighth inning and departed after nine frames.

Sanchez and Hicks are big parts of the Yankees’ lineup despite Hicks being in a 4-for-19 slide, so any time missed would be a serious detriment.

“Injuries are part of the game and the game doesn’t stop for anybody,’’ Brett Gardner said late Thursday in a very quiet Yankees clubhouse. “Hopefully the couple of guys who are banged up feel better [Friday].’’

Adding to the concerns around Sanchez and Hicks is that their injuries happened hours after CC Sabathia was placed on the 10-day DL with a Grade 2 strain of his left hamstring. He joined Aroldis Chapman on the shelf, although the closer is expected to activated Sunday.

Sabathia played catch Friday for the second straight day.

Hicks took over in center field for Jacoby Ellsbury on May 25 and was a big part of keeping the Yankees in first place. Sanchez, who already missed a month earlier this season with a right biceps injury, has been swinging the bat very well lately. And while the Yankees went 16-5 when Sanchez was down, losing his bat would hurt.