BALTIMORE — X-rays on Brett Gardner’s left thumb were negative but it is unknown how long the outfielder will be sidelined.
Gardner left Tuesday night’s game after feeling discomfort in the same thumb he broke last season. After the 12-7 win over the Orioles, Gardner said he didn’t believe the problem was that serious because he felt it many times this season and it always felt better the next day.
However, there was discomfort so he was sent for tests.
“It’s not as good as I had hoped,’’ said Gardner, who felt it in a check swing in the sixth inning and when jammed during a seventh-inning at-bat when he collected his second single.
Gardner, who missed 40 games last year with the fractured thumb injury suffered while sliding feet first into second to break up a double play July 25, was replaced in left field by Kevin Russo against right-hander Chris Tillman.
Gardner is hitting .314 and his 20 stolen bases were second in the AL and he was third in runs scored with 42.
“Obviously, I am concerned about it,’’ Gardner said. “I don’t expect it to be broke but I didn’t expect it to be broke last year. Hopefully I tweaked it a little worse and it’s not like last year.’’
Girardi was concerned because every time Gardner felt a twinge in the thumb it was gone and this time it didn’t vanish.
“He told me he did it 20 to 30 times and it didn’t come back. This time it came back,’’ Girardi said.
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Jorge Posada didn’t participate in catching drills one day after catching Andy Pettitte in the bullpen, throwing to bases and blocking balls. Posada, who hasn’t caught in a game since May 16 when he fractured a bone in the right foot, will repeat the drills Thursday.
There is no timetable for Posada’s return but it likely won’t be until at least Tuesday.