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.

Yankees Vs. Braves Final Score: New York Completes The Sweep With 3-2 Win

Hiroki Kuroda is no stranger to pitching in the National League. He spent the first four years of his major league career with the Dodgers, before joining the New York Yankees this season. On the hill against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night, Kuroda was right at home against NL competition, striking out eight and giving up just two runs in six innings in a 3-2 win, capping a three-game series sweep for the Yankees.

Brian McCann hit a two-run homer to right field in the fifth inning, giving Atlanta a short-lived 2-1 lead. In the next frame, Curtis Granderson matched it by taking Tim Hudson deep, driving home Derek Jeter to put the Yanks back on top, ultimately for good.

The win was the sixth in a row for New York, which leads Baltimore by one game for first place in the American League East. The Yankees have won 16 of their last 20 games.

On Friday, the Yankees start a weekend series against the Washington Nationals, who lead the National League East and are also riding a six-game winning streak.

For more news, notes and analysis on the New York Yankees, check out Pinstripe Alley. Then head over to Talking Chop for the Atlanta Braves' fan perspective. For updates from this series, stay tuned to this StoryStream from SB Nation New York.

New York Yankees Bullpen: Group Survives Absence Of David Robertson

Yankees (36-25) Vs. Braves (34-28) Preview: Game Time, TV, Probable Pitcher

The Bronx may be burning again soon, because the New York Yankees are absolutely on fire.

The New York Yankees took down the Atlanta Braves 6-4 on Tuesday behind a six-run eighth inning highlighted by Alex Rodriguez's 23rd career grand slam. He now has a share of the all-time career grand slam record with Lou Gehrig.

The Yanks will be going for the sweep on Wednesday night when Hiroki Kuroda scales the mound. Kuroda has been up-and-down this season, with a 5-6 record but a solid 3.46 ERA. In his last start, the ex-Dodger went seven scoreless innings to pick up the win against the New York Mets.

Tim Hudson will toe the rubber for Atlanta. The long-time star is having a pretty respectable first few months, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.83 ERA. He also is coming off a tremendous outing, shutting out the Miami Marlins for a complete game win.

If New York can solve Hudson and get another notch in the win column, it'll be their sixth straight W; the longest streak of its season.

TV: ESPN

Time: 7 p.m. ET

For more on the Yankees, please be sure to check out our blog Pinstripe Alley and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Yankees Vs. Braves Final Score: Alex Rodriguez Hits Grand Slam In 8th, New York Wins 6-4 In Comeback

The New York Yankees beat the Atlanta Braves, 6-4, Tuesday at Turner Field thanks to a six-run eighth inning highlighted by an Alex Rodriguez grand slam. The shot off Jonny Venters (3-3) was A-Rod's 23rd career grand slam, tying him with Lou Gehrig for the most all-time.

The Yankees were down 4-0 after seven innings. Venters replaced Atlanta starting pitcher Mike Minor with one out in the eighth inning after a single by Derek Jeter. A single by Curtis Granderson and a walk to Mark Teixeira loaded the bases to set the stage for Rodriguez' blast into the left field seats.

After a Robinson Cano single Cory Gearrin came on to pitch for Atlanta. Nick Swisher greeted him with a two-run home run into the right-field seats to give the Yankees the lead.

The victory, combined with the New York Mets 11-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, moved the Yankees into sole possession of first place in the American League East.

CC Sabathia (8-3) gave up four runs, all earned, off 10 hits and two walks while striking out six in seven innings. Matt Diaz doubled home three runs in the first inning, but Sabathia settled down after that. He allowed only a seventh-inning run when Jason Heyward scored Martin Prado on a ground out to build what seemed like a comfortable 4-0 lead for the Braves.

Rafael Soriano earned his 10th save of the season, giving up no hits and striking out two in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Game 3 of the series is set for Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET at Turner Field. Hiroki Kuroda (5-6, 3.46 ERA) will take on the Braves' Tim Hudson (4-2, 3.83) at the mound.

For more on the Yankees, head over to the SB Nation blog Pinstripe Alley and stay tuned to SBN New York.

Yankees Vs. Braves: Tuesday Game Time, TV Schedule And Probable Starters

The New York Yankees (35-25) look to take sole control of first place in the AL East as they take on the Atlanta Braves (34-27) in the middle game of their three game series tonight at Turner Field

The Yankees will send out ace CC Sabathia (7-3, 3.69 ERA) to try and push New York's winning streak to five. CC has been consistent in his last few starts, giving up 3 earned runs or less in his last four starts for the Yankees.

Atlanta will counter with Mike Minor (3-4, 6.57 ERA). Minor has had a rough time on the mound over the last month and a half, but had easily his best start in that span on Thursday against the Marlins. Minor went five innings, giving up four hits and one earned run while striking out four Marlins in the victory..

Here is the game schedule and broadcast information:

Date/Time: Tuesday, June 12, 7:10 p.m. ET

Location: Turner Field

TV: YES, PTV

Online streaming: MLB.tv

For more news, notes and analysis on the New York Yankees, check out Pinstripe Alley. Then head over to Talking Chop for the Atlanta Braves' fan perspective.

New York Yankees Starting Pitching Keys Climb To Top Of AL East

Starting pitching has keyed the New York Yankees rise to the top of the American League East standings

Yankees Vs. Braves, Final Score: Ivan Nova Pitches 7 Shutout Innings In 3-0 Win

The New York Yankees beat the Atlanta Braves, 3-0, in the opener of a three-game series at Turner Field on Monday night. Ivan Nova (8-2) pitched seven shutout innings to earn the win, striking out six and giving up five hits and just one walk. He also had a single in the second inning for his first career hit.

The Braves' Randall Delgado (4-6) gave up three runs (all earned) in his five innings on the mound to earn the loss. He gave up five hits and walked six in addition to his six strikeouts. Robinson Cano put the Yankees on the board in the first inning with a single to score Alex Rodriguez. Raul Ibanez put the Yankee up 2-0 in the second, hitting his 10th home run of the year. Rodriguez scored on a wild pitch in the third to cap the Yankees' scoring at three runs.

The win moved the Yankees into a first-place tie with the Tampa Bay Rays atop the AL East standings. Game 2 of the series is set for Tuesday night at 7:10 p.m. ET. CC Sabathia (7-3, 3.69 ERA) will take on Atlanta's Mike Minor (3-4, 6.57) at the mound.

For more on the Yankees, head over to the SB Nation blog Pinstripe Alley and stay tuned to SBN New York.

Yankees (34-25) At Braves (34-26) Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers