Frazier will start in left field and bat ninth Sunday against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Gardner will close the weekend with two consecutive starts, both of which have come against right-handed pitching. Though manager Aaron Boone hasn't commented on his plans for left field moving forward, Gardner may have leapfrogged the struggling Clint Frazier on the depth chart, at least temporarily. Regardless, Frazier should still see regular starts against left-handed pitching.

Gardner went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Sunday's loss against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Gardner started in left field while Clint Frazier moved to the right side of the outfield, and the veteran left his mark while batting ninth since he contributed the Yankees' lone run with an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth. These were Gardner's first at-bats of the season and while manager Aaron Boone already implied the 37-year-old was going to play "a lot" over the course of the season, he seems destined for a bench role unless there's a rash of injuries in the Yankees' outfield.

Gardner started in right field for Tuesday's Grapefruit League contest against the Tigers, and he could play there more frequently this season, Dan Martin of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gardner has logged only one appearance in right field during his big-league career, and that was way back in 2014. Manager Aaron Boone suggested that Gardner has the defensive prowess to be able to handle all three outfield positions while reiterating that the veteran "is gonna play a lot" this season. With Clint Frazier established as the Yankees' everyday left fielder and Aaron Hicks slated for a regular role in center, Gardner's ability to occasionally spell Aaron Judge in right could be key to the 37-year-old's likelihood of logging as much playing time as Boone has implied he will receive.

Gardner went 1-for-1 with a grand slam and a walk in Sunday's Grapefruit League victory over the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Gardner was responsible for all four runs in the contest, taking Zack Wheeler deep with the bases full in the second inning. The homer was Gardner's first this spring and his first hit overall in four at-bats.

Gardner could play his first game of spring training Wednesday against the Blue Jays, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gardner didn't officially sign with the Yankees until Feb. 23, so he's a bit behind his teammates. Still, the veteran enters the spring healthy and is expected to have a sizeable role as a reserve for the Yankees this season, and he'll have ample time to ramp up in anticipation of Opening Day.

Gardner's contract with the Yankees includes $1.85 million and a $1 million signing bonus in 2021 as well a player and club option for 2022, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Heyman, Gardner's player option in 2022 would be worth $2.3 million and would convert to a $7.15 million club option or $1.15 million buyout if it is not exercised. Heyman also notes that the most likely scenario is for Gardner to decline the option and be bought out, which would ultimately make the contract worth $4 million. At this point in his career, Gardner's role figures to be that of a fourth outfielder, though manager Aaron Boone has stated that the most tenured Yankee will still see ample playing time.

Gardner signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Yankees on Friday, Ken Davidoff of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gardner and the Yankees ramped up discussions over the past several days, and the two sides were able to reach an agreement to bring the 37-year-old back to the Bronx for a 14th season. He appeared in 49 games during the abbreviated 2020 season, slashing .223/.354/.392 with five home runs and 15 RBI. Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that he expects Clint Frazier to start in left field in 2021, but Gardner should be a strong contender for the starting job now that he's back with the Yankees.

Gardner is an unrestricted free agent after the Yankees declined his $10 million club option for 2021, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's not overly surprising news, as the veteran outfielder had a .223/.354/.392 slash line with five home runs in 49 games during the shortened 2020 campaign. Clint Frazier posted a .905 OPS in 39 games once making his way to the majors and figures to be the favorite to claim Gardner's longtime starting spot in New York's outfield.

Gardner remains on the bench for the second game of the ALDS against the Rays on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Gardner sat in favor of Clint Frazier with the left-handed Blake Snell on the mound in Game 1. Frazier gets the nod in left field again in this one despite the Rays starting righty Tyler Glasnow. Frazier's homer in the series opener likely helped his case for more playing time, though Gardner replaced him in the middle of Game 1 and could do so again in Game 2.

Gardner will sit for the first game of the ALDS against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Gardner sits with southpaw Blake Snell on the mound for the Rays. Clint Frazier will start in left field in his absence.