NEW YORK -- Although Brett Gardner has been out of the Yankees' starting lineup for four straight days with right knee inflammation, he and manager Aaron Boone seem confident that the outfielder will avoid a trip to the disabled list.
After having a successful workout and taking 30-40 swings in the cage prior to Tuesday's game, Gardner felt that he was ready to start against the Mariners on Wednesday, but Boone was not quite ready to rush the 34-year-old back into the lineup.
"I communicate all the time with Gardy, my thoughts, when I'm giving him a day," Boone said.