MLB

Aching Brett Gardner can’t rush back just yet

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Brett Gardner won’t know if he will play Tuesday night in Detroit until he tests his right ankle by running.

“I got treatment, hit in the cage and lifted weights,’’ Gardner said of his program Monday when he missed a second-straight game due to a right ankle problem that surfaced Saturday when he fouled a ball off the foot in his first at-bat but stayed in the game. “I didn’t run. Hopefully, it improves [Tuesday]. I couldn’t play [Monday]. I have to run at least 90 percent because there is no point of being out there. I am not helping the team.’’

Gardner, whose 15 homers are tied for second on the club with Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann, was replaced in left field by the versatile Martin Prado. Jacoby Ellsbury hit leadoff for the 27th time this season.


Derek Jeter’s final visit to Detroit and his home state of Michigan begins Tuesday night when the Yankees open a three-game series against the Tigers at Comerica Park. Holding special significance for Jeter is that his extended family and children from Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation will be on hand.

“I went there as a kid with my family so it will be nice to have my family there,’’ said Jeter, a Kalamazoo native who made the 2 ½-hour ride to Tiger Stadium as a child.

Jeter was presented with a $10,000 check for the foundation before Monday night’s game.


Joe Girardi doesn’t want to get past Masahiro Tanaka’s simulated game Thursday in Detroit.

“You could possibly send him somewhere from Detroit,’’ Girardi said of Tanaka, who will throw a second simulated game after throwing one Saturday. “I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves and put out exactly what we are going to do, we might want to change it a little bit. Right now let’s get through Thursday.’’

By the time Tuesday arrives, Girardi said he couldn’t be sure there will be minor league games for Tanaka to pitch in. Girardi said it was a possibility Tanaka could throw a simulated game with the Yankees next week at home as an alternative to sending him to Tampa.


Having used David Robertson in three straight games Girardi said he didn’t have the closer Monday night. Thanks to the 8-1 victory the manager didn’t need one. David Huff throwing the final 2 ²/₃ innings allowed Girardi to also rest Dellin Betances and Shawn Kelley.


Two Yankee minor leaguers have been suspended for 50 games for amphetamine use, a violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment program

Single-A pitcher Andy Beresford and Rookie League first baseman Leonard Thompson received suspensions are immediate and will carry into next season.