Bird watching
Ailing 1B eyes Friday return vs. O’s
Greg Bird, who has been out since Monday after suffering back spasms, said he is ready to play, but Joe Girardi isn’t going to start the left-handed hitting first baseman until Friday against Orioles right-hander Gabriel Ynoa.
“I was under the thought that it would be a couple of days. With back spasms it’s usually more than one day,’’ Girardi said Wednesday. “We will probably look at Friday against when we face a right-hander.’’
YANKEES NOTES
Girardi said he would use Bird as a pinch-hitter Wednesday, if needed, but he wasn’t.
The Orioles are scheduled to start lefty Wade Miley on Thursday when the O’s open a four-game series at Yankee Stadium.
After missing all of 2016 due to shoulder surgery Bird has played in just 33 games this season due to a right foot injury that he suffered in spring training and eventually required surgery.
Since coming off the disabled list on Aug. 26, the 24year-old Bird has played in 14 games (11 starts) and gone 9-for-42 (.214) with two homers and 10 RBIs.
A sensational spring training led Girardi to hit Bird third on Opening Day. Now, having played in 33 games in the past two seasons, there are some who wonder if Bird’s body will allow him to be a lineup regular.
“I still think he is an everyday first baseman who can have a big impact, but obviously he has to stay on the field,’’ Girardi said.
➤ Yankees will hold a moment of silence and present a video tribute for Gene
“Stick’’ Michael on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium. Michael, a former Yankees shortstop, manager, GM and trusted advisor died last Thursday at 79. ➤ According to Girardi, there was nothing physically ailing Matt Holliday and Aaron Judge on Wednes- day, when they weren’t in the lineup against Rays right-hander Chris Archer.
Gary Sanchez was the DH in place of Holliday and
Clint Frazier was in Judge’s right-field spot. Sanchez went 2-for-5 and Frazier was hitless in four at-bats. ➤ Starting Jacoby Ellsbury against Archer wasn’t a difficult decision for Girardi since nobody had more hits off the right-hander in his career than Ellsbury.
The left-handed-hitting center fielder started the day 21-for-42 (.500) against Archer and went 1-for-1 with a walk. Kendrys Morales with 16 hits was second to Ellsbury.
➤ Chase Headley’s ninthinning single stretched a hitting streak to a season-high 11 games. He is hitting .341 (15-for-44) with three homers and seven RBIs during the streak.
➤ Adam Warren said Wednesday he hopes to begin throwing in three or four days. Warren is on the DL with lower back spasms and hasn’t pitched since Sept. 1. The Yankees are hoping the right-hander can make it back for the postseason to make a deep bullpen deeper.