After long layoff, Bird sparks Yanks

NEW YORK — There were plenty of times when the Yankees wondered when Greg Bird would play again. This year? Next season? Ever?

“We weren’t sure about him,” manager Joe Girardi acknowledged.

Bird’s time finally came Saturday, when he reached base three times in his long-awaited return to the lineup and helped the Yankees beat the Mariners 6-3.

Bird singled, walked twice and scored in his first game since May 1. The young first baseman has been hobbled problems.

“It’s fun to be back in the stadium,” Bird said. “It’s exciting to be part of it.”

Said Girardi: “I have a big impact.”

Jacoby Ellsbury homered and drove in four runs, and Sonny Gray kept up his streak of impressive starts in a matchup of playoff contenders.

The Yankees bounced back from an 11-inning loss in the opener of a 10-game homestand. The Mariners dropped to 5-3 on a 12-game, four-city trip that covers 7,500 miles.

Bird, activated by ankle from and think he the foot can DL after a strong Triple-A rehab assignment, tied for the MLB lead with eight homers in spring training. But he fouled a ball off his right ankle shortly before opening day, started the season 6-for-60 and was put on the DL. Bird then had a bone removed from his right foot during his recovery.

“It’s been a long, interesting, unique journey,” he said.

Gray (8-8) went seven innings and allowed one run on three hits, striking out nine. It was the 11th straight start Gray hasn’t permitted more than two earned runs, the best string by anyone in the majors this year.