Bird to go under knife, Yanks eye fill-in

MINNEAPOLIS — While the Yankees hoped to get Greg Bird back from the disabled list at some point this season there was a feeling the left-handed hitting first baseman wouldn’t return from the right ankle problem that limited him to 19 games at the beginning of the season.

Monday, Joe Girardi said that Bird will undergo sur- gery Tuesday to shave or remove the Os Trigonum, which is excess bone growth in the foot that is found in 30 percent of the population. Bird was examined by Dr. Martin O’Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery on Monday and the decision was made.

Even before Monday’s news the Yankees had been monitoring the trade market for first basemen since Bird hadn’t played since May 1, had to be shut down during a minor league rehab assignment and didn’t get much relief from a cortisone shot.

After designating Chris Carter for assignment twice, the Yankees are currently playing Garrett Cooper and Ji-Man Choi at first and continuing to look for an upgrade.

Since Girardi said it will take Bird about six weeks to resume baseball activities, that leaves very little time for Bird to make it back to The Bronx this season.

“Our hope is yes,’’ Girardi said when asked if the Yankees could count on Bird for next season. “It’s not easy to miss two years. Try to get him at-bats in the winter.’’

The Red Sox’s protest of Saturday’s game against the Yankees at Fenway Park has been denied.

The Yankees will see old friend Bartolo Colon on the mound Tuesday night. Colon, who pitched for the Yankees in 2011, signed a minor league contract with the Twins after being released by the Braves. The 44-yearold made one start and was promoted.