MINNEAPOLIS — A lost season for Brett Gardner is going to have a soft, positive landing.
Gardner was activated from the 60-day disabled list before the Yankees’ 5-4 loss to the Twins last night at Target Field.
“It’s exciting, I have been ready for a while,’’ said Gardner, whose last game was April 17 when he suffered a right elbow injury that required surgery in June.
The Yankees activated Gardner to use as a pinch-runner and a possible defensive replacement in left and center field. While he has been taking batting practice, the chances of him swinging a bat in a game are long.
“I expect to hit on the field Thursday in Toronto,’’ Gardner said. “That would be my first day of BP, so you would be looking at [hitting in a game] Sunday or Monday.’’
The Yankees’ season ends a week from today against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.
“I don’t know if that’s possible,’’ manager Joe Girardisaid of Gardner hitting in a game. “He is not ready to hit in games.’’
Asked if he could be on the Yankees’ postseason roster, Gardner said, “I haven’t thought about that.’’
To make room for Gardner, the Yankees designated infielder Steve Pearce for assignment. The Yankees also activated right-handed reliever David Aardsma from the 60-day disabled list and designated lefty reliever Justin Thomasfor assignment.
Acquired from Houston because of a reputation of being able to hit lefties, the right-handed hitting Pearce batted .167 (4-for-24) against left-handers.
Aardsma hasn’t pitched since 2010 because Tommy John surgery.
“We will pick a spot for him, he hasn’t pitched in the big leagues in a long time,’’ Girardi said.
* Alex Rodriguez had an ice pack attached to his left foot following last night’s loss.
Rodriguez fouled a ball off the instep in an eighth-inning at-bat that ended with a grounder to short that left him with a 0-for-4 game.
“That was a pretty good stinger,’’ said Rodriguez, who has one hit in 14 at-bats. “I should be OK [today].’’
* Derek Jeter started the game with a single in the first and extended his hitting streak to a season-high 19 games. He went 1-for-4.
* Mark Teixeira worked out in Tampa at Steinbrenner Field for the second straight day. He took batting practice and fielded ground balls. He didn’t run but that was planned, according to Girardi. He is scheduled to work out at the minor league complex this morning.
Girardi said he didn’t have a target date for Teixeria’s return from a strained left calf that has kept him out of the last 15 games.
* Andruw Jones, Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher and Casey McGehee participated in hitting coach Kevin Long’s pull drill yesterday afternoon. Swisher and Jones both homered. Swisher hit a two-run shot in the fourth and Jones belted a solo blast in the ninth.
Cano started last night’s action in a 3-for-25 (.120) slump and has one homer since Sept. 5. He went 3-for-3 and walked once.
Cano was the DH against Twins right-hander Esmerling Vasquez.