Yankees' Gardner Likely Won't Play In Spring Game For 2 Weeks
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Brett Gardner's wrist injury is coming along, but don't expect to see him actually out on the field in a game until the middle of the month.
That was the decree from manager Joe Girardi on Wednesday after his outfielder got through a batting practice session unscathed.
"We will take it slow," Girardi told reporters at the team's spring training facility in Tampa, Florida. "We will progress. It won't be in the first two weeks. After the off-day at some point."
That would be after March 14. However, Girardi said Gardner should be ready for the Yankees' regular season opener against the Houston Astros on March 4 in the Bronx.
"He felt good in the cage," Girardi said. "Went two rounds."
Gardner, who was to take another BP session on Thursday, said he's being patient.
"First swings other than under-hand toss, yeah," Gardner said. "Gotta start somewhere."
According to general manager Brian Cashman, the veteran outfielder suffered a bone bruise in his left wrist when he banged it into the Yankee Stadium fence during the Bombers' 3-0 loss to the Houston Astros in the AL Wild Card game last October.
Last season, Gardner batted .259 with 16 home runs. He led the team with 94 runs scored.
