The New York Yankees sit 5.5 games back of the Kansas City Royals for the final wild card spot, but it looks as if they will play the final 20 games without Brett Gardner and Martin Prado.

Gardner suffered a strained lower abdominal muscle in Fridays game against the Royals and Prado left hamstring flared up once again from an injury on September 2. These injuries have the Yankees looking for alternative options in the outfield as well as a utility player.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi spoke about the injuries and he stressed that this is a huge blow to the team and their postseason chances.

"I'm not sure when we'll get him [Gardner] back," the manager said. "It is a concern of mine. We'll continue to talk to the doctors and measure how he feels."

"There's some concern about him [Prado] playing on that where he could worsen his hamstring to where it becomes a serious issue," Girardi said. "It's still bothering him. Even though I told him to guard it, and he did a good job, there's a concern.”

The loss of Gardner could be the nail in the Yankees’ coffin as he was in contention for the best player on the team at this point. Gardner was in the middle of a career-high power surge in which he batted .269 with 16 homers, 58 RBI and 19 stolen bases. Prado has been a welcome addition to New York and has batted .298 with five home runs in only 144-at bats with the Yankees.

Gardner will see Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad Tuesday night.

[NJ.com]

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