Yankees notes: Bird sits, Sanchez close to return

NEW YORK — Want to throw Joe Girardi a curve? Ask him why Greg Bird is not hitting.

The Yankees’ manager is as dumbfounded as the Yankee Stadium Bleacher Creatures.

“I’m having a hard time getting a sense of what’s going on,” said Girardi. “He needs something good to happen.”

Which happened in spring training, when the first baseman hit eight home runs as he returned from missing all of last season following right shoulder labrum surgery.

But once the regular season began Bird’s offense went south. With lefthander Wade Miley starting for the Orioles on Sunday, righty-hitting Chris Carter replaced Bird in the line-up.

“I’m trying to keep everyone involved,” Girardi said.

He also may be protecting Bird, who’s hitting .107, with one homer and three RBI. Bird has two hits in his last 27 at-bats and has struck out 21 times, one less than team leader Matt Holliday, who has 17 more at bats. Along the way, Bird, who started the season hitting third, has hit as low as eighth.

“He needs something good to happen,” Girardi said. “Right now, it’s no fun. I don’t think he’s that far off. He’s due.”

More like overdue.

Sanchez almost ready

Girardi said catcher Gary Sanchez may return to the line-up as soon as this weekend, when the Yankees play the reigning world champion Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Sanchez, who’s been on the disabled list since April 8 with a right biceps strain, will make the first of two or three rehab starts Tuesday night for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

“If that goes well, then we’ll see him during the Cubs series,” said general manager Brian Cashman.

Austin Romine, who has played well in Sanchez’s absence, wasn’t in the starting lineup Sunday, one day after he homered and drove in five runs.

“He’s caught four days in a row,” said Girardi, who went with Kyle Higashioka. “He’ll probably catch all three Toronto games (the series begins tonight at the stadium).”

Kozma claimed

The Texas Rangers claimed utility infielder Pete Kozma.

Kozma was put on waivers Friday when the Yankees activated shortstop Didi Gregorius.