Swisher, Gardner Out Of Yankees' Lineup

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- New York Yankees outfielders Nick Swisher and Brett Gardner were out of the lineup for the start of a three-game series at Tampa Bay on Monday night.

Swisher has a recurring problem with a bone bruise on his left knee caused by a foul ball and will have a follow-up MRI exam Tuesday. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said there are no structural problems and the injury is thought to be a short-term situation.

Swisher pinch hit in the eighth inning, grounding out to third against Rays starter David Price. Swisher had a noticeable limp as he ran to first and after the Yankees lost 1-0 to Tampa Bay in 11 innings said the knee has not improved over the last week.

"As much as you want to be out there and be playing, on one leg ain't exactly how I want to be going out there," Swisher said. "We took the MRI before and it said there was nothing, but I find that really, really hard to believe."

The bad knee has started to impact other areas, including Swisher's shoulders.

"My swings are a little off," he said. "I want to get healthy, man."

Gardner had an MRI exam Monday on his sore right wrist, which showed inflammation, but no major issues. He hopes to swing a bat on Tuesday.

Gardner was inserted as a pinch runner and stole second base for his 41st steal this season during the 10th inning. Later in the inning, he was caught leaning by reliever Joaquin Benoit and thrown out attempting to steal third.

The defending World Series champion Yankees dropped a half-game back in the AL East race.

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