Brett Gardner Injury Update: Outfielder Nearing Return, But No Hitting

Brett Gardner's return for the New York Yankees is imminent, although the outfielder will only be available as a defensive replacement and pinch runner.

Gardner suffered a bruised elbow back in April that refused to heal, forcing him to the disabled list and eventually requiring arthroscopic surgery in July that seemed like it would shut him down for the rest of the season. That wasn't the case, as Gardner will definitely be returning to the Yankees by the end of the season. However, he won't be swinging a bat: after re-injuring himself several times trying to do so in rehab stints, Gardner will be available only as a fielder and pinch runner. Joe Girardi wouldn't rule out the option of Gardner potentially landing on the team's postseason roster when he comes back.

He'll be useful in both roles: Gardner tied for the American League lead in steals last season with 49, and is a defensive improvement over Andruw Jones and Raul Ibanez at this point in their careers. Gardner has become less of a necessity for the Yankees with those two in the lineup, considering the midseason addition of Ichiro Suzuki in the outfield.

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Brett Gardner Injury Update: Yankees LF To Undergo Surgery Next Week, Season Likely Over

Brett Gardner will undergo arthroscopic elbow surgery next week, likely ending the outfielder's season, the New York Yankees announced Thursday. The procedure will be done by Dr. Chris Ahmad, the Yankees team physician.

RT @pcaldera: Gardner headed for arthroscopic surgery on elbow which is "likely to conclude his season'' according to the Yankees.

— Gordon Edes (@GordonEdes) July 20, 2012

Gardner has struggled mightily in his recovery from a bruised and strained left elbow injury this past May that initially placed him on the 15-day disabled list. He has a begun several rehab several assignments since, but has been repeatedly shut down due to setbacks.

Doctors, including the renowned Dr. James Andrews, have been unable to pinpoint the unable the exact cause of Gardner's constant soreness, leaving the 28-year-old frustrated.

For more news, notes and analysis on the New York Yankees, check out Pinstripe Alleyand stay tuned to SB Nation New York.

Brett Gardner Injury Update: Yankees LF Shut Down Again, May Be Done For Season

Brett Gardner was targeting a return to the New York Yankees at the end of July from a right elbow strain that has kept him out three months now. The left fielder has reportedly suffered yet another setback, however, and may now miss the rest of the season.

"The doctors have all come up with the same diagnosis," [manager Joe] Girardi said. "It is puzzling. We expected that he would get through this - our hope is that he'll get through this - but today he was a little sore. I can't tell you what's going to happen or what's next. But we'll see what tomorrow brings."

Gardner had to be shut down after soreness in his right elbow flared up following a simulated game Sunday. Gardner's agent Joe Bick said that his client would undergo another MRI to determine the cause of the prolonged soreness. Bick also said that Gardner is "very frustrated" after the latest setback.

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Brett Gardner Injury Update: Yankees LF Out Through July

Brett Gardner will miss at least two-and-a-half more weeks as he struggles in his recovery from a right elbow strain, general manager Brian Cashman told ESPN New York on Tuesday. Gardner has played in just nine game with the New York Yankees this season after being injured diving for a ball in mid-April.

Gardner has suffered several setbacks in his recovery. He was expected to miss just two weeks at the time of the injury, but had to be shut down again during his first minor league assignment. His prognosis moved to just past the All-Star break, but it appears now that he be out until at least July 27, according to Cashman.

"He is swinging off of a tee," Cashman said. "He's been fine but as you know, his first two outings that's what he did. He was fine until he got all the way through a major league rehab. There is going to be a lot of, 'He's fine,' up until he is playing in rehab games."

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Brett Gardner Injury Update: 3-4 Weeks Rest Necessary After Third Opinion Confirms Elbow Strain Diagnosis

New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner received a third examination on his injured right elbow by Dr. Timothy Kremcheck on Thursday, the team announced. The doctor confirmed that Gardner has an elbow strain, the same diagnosis which Dr. James Andrews had come to on Monday.

Like Andrews, Kremcheck believes that Gardner will need three to four weeks of rest to allow his elbow to heal. The 28-year old hasn't appeared in a game since April 17, when he injured himself making a diving catch at Yankee Stadium. Two different rehab assignments have been shut down because Gardner felt pain while swinging a bat.

"I've done everything I can do, and the training staff has done everything it can possibly do over the last seven weeks to get me back out on the field," Gardner said earlier in the week. "It hasn't worked out the way we thought, but hopefully I'll be back soon."

For more news, notes and analysis on the New York Yankees, check out Pinstripe Alley.

Brett Gardner Injury Update: Yankees Outfielder Has No Ligament Damage, According To Joe Girardi

The New York Yankees can be frustratingly tight-lipped when it comes to injury updates, which is why it was refreshing to hear manager Joe Girardi speak somewhat candidly about outfielder Brett Gardner's elbow injury. According to Girardi, it appears Gardner does not have ligament damage and will avoid Tommy John surgery in his right elbow.

"I don't think it has anything to do with that," Girardi said. "I want to see what the other doctor says, then we'll see what we're going to do and how we're going to approach it. I don't think Gardy's (injury) is anything to do with the ligament."

Gardner was examined Monday by Dr. James Andrews. When asked about Andrews' opinion, Gardner was much more guarded than his manager.

"Well, I haven't been too awful disappointed, so I guess that's good news," Gardner said. "But I'd rather not get too much into it."

Gardner will get another opinion from Cincinnati Reds physician Dr. Tim Kremchek on Wednesday.

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Brett Gardner Injury Update: Yankees' Outfielder Status Unclear, Team Could Be Looking For Replacement

Injured New York Yankees starting left fielder Brett Gardner suffered another setback in his attempt to recover from a strained right elbow.

The Star-Ledger reported that Gardner felt pain and stiffness in his elbow after playing five innings of a minor-league rehab game with Class-A Charleston on Friday night. This is the second time Gardner has been on the cusp of returning to the Yankees' lineup after going through a minor-league stint as well as the second time he's reaggravated the injury.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman had this to say about the Gardner injury:

"Something's not right," Cashman said. "He still feels stiffness. He doesn't feel right. ...

"He's had more than enough rest to be fine by now."

This could result in a trade of Gardner for a more reliable or at least healthier asset, with the trade deadline about seven weeks away (July 31). Gardner has been out of the lineup for nearly two months now (April 19).

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Brett Gardner Injury Update: Outfielder Again Trying To Come Back From Elbow Injury

On the basepaths New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner is rarely stopped, having stolen 49 bases a season. Trying to come back from an elbow injury that landed him on the disabled list less than two weeks into the season, Gardner has been stopped a number of times.

Each time he has begun to swing a bat recurring pain in the elbow has forced him to shut down. Now, the speedy outfielder is trying again.

The Yankees are hoping that Gardner will be back in their lineup in as little as 10 days. Maybe that will be the case, but this is Gardner’s second attempt at rehab, having had to shut down the first time.

The Yankees have missed Gardner’s speed on the basepaths and his outstanding defense in left field.

“I think he changes our lineup, the speed that he provides and his ability to create runs," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He does give you a little bit different element than the rest of our team."

Brett Gardner Injury Update: Yankees Place Outfielder On 15-Day Disabled List

New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with both a bruised left elbow and strained arm muscle.

The injury was suffered on Tuesday night during the Yankees' win over the Twins, although Gardner did take batting practice prior to Wednesday's game.

The Yankees have several options to take Gardner's place in the outfield, including Raul Ibanez, Andrew Jones, and Eduardo Nunez. To replace him on the 25-man roster, the Yankees recalled pitcher Cody Eppler, a right-handed reliever.

The 28-year old Gardner has fared well at the plate so far this season, batting .321 and posting a .424 on-base percentage, while also continuing his strong work in the outfield.

The Yankees will face the Twins on Thursday night in the final game of a four-game set.

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