Yankees place Brett Gardner on the 10-day IL with left knee inflammation

After missing the three-game series against the Twins the Yankees placed OF Brett Gardner on the 10-day IL with left knee inflammation prior to Thursday night’s game in Boston. To replace him on the roster they called up LHP Stephen Tarpley.

Earlier this week the Yankees were optimistic that Gardner would return for this weekend’s series at Fenway but obviously, his knee is still bothering him. He went through a pregame workout before Thursday’s game and looked good according to Aaron Boone, but the team decided to put him on the IL so they could call up a fresh player to help them this weekend.

Even though he’s on the IL, Boone said he’d still consider Gardy day-to-day which bodes well for him returning after the 10-day stint. In the short term, Stephen Tarpley will return to the pen but I wouldn’t be surprised if they called up another outfielder before tonight’s game.

Clint Frazier could be an option but the Yankees still want him playing every day and with Mike Tauchman red hot he might not get that opportunity if he was recalled. Frazier is also likely on the trading block and could be dealt for a starting pitcher before the July 31st deadline so you wonder if that will factor into the decision on whether to bring him up or not.

The good news for the Yankees is Cameron Maybin is nearing his return from the IL so he should be back at some point next week once he finishes his rehab stint with Triple-A Scranton. If Gardner was healthy the Yanks were about to have another outfield logjam on their hands but as we’ve seen throughout the season these things usually have a way of playing themselves out.

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Getting Maybin back will be big because prior to going on the IL with a calf strain he was outstanding hitting .314 with 5 HR and 14 RBI. Tauchman should continue to get bulk of the reps considering how well he’s played in July but if he cools off Maybin is a great option to turn to.

Gardner is now the second Yankee to go on the IL in the last two days after the team placed All-Star catcher Gary Sanchez on the IL with a left groin strain. Injuries have plagued the Yanks all season long but the roster is so deep with talent that it hasn’t impacted their record whatsoever.

Losing Gardy and Sanchez definitely stings but this shouldn’t stop this Yankee team from continuing their winning ways and increasing their lead atop the AL East standings.