Gardner Not Expected To Return By All Star Break

From George A. King III & Mike Puma:

At this rate it would be viewed as a positive if the Yankees got Brett Gardner back immediately after the All-Star break.

For the second time in a month, Gardner experienced a problem following a minor league rehab game and nobody knows when the left fielder will be healthy enough to return to the big leagues this year.
Gardner last played for the Yankees on April 17 when he suffered a strained right (non-throwing) elbow.

“He woke up and had pain [Saturday],’’ manager Joe Girardi said of Gardner, who went 1-for-3 Friday night for Single-A Charleston. “He will see the doctor and that’s all I got for you until we find out what is going on. Obviously it’s a setback.’’

Gardner will be examined by Dr. James Andrews tomorrow or Tuesday and see Dr. Timothy Kremchek on Thursday.

Gardner felt something on May 10 playing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Friday was his first rehab game since then.

When Gardner had the first setback, Girardi had an idea what would happen if a second one surfaced.

“I said if he had another one I thought it would be after the All-Star break [July 9-12],’’ Girardi said. “So there are concerns.’’

In other Yankees injury news, David Robertson will begin a rehab assignment on Sunday with the SWB Yankees.