Gardner intends to play during the 2022 campaign, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Yankees declined Gardner's contract option in early November, and the 38-year-old wasn't able to land another deal prior to the lockout. Gardner's agent said that the outfielder hopes to remain with the Yankees in 2022, but he'd also consider signing with another team. Gardner appeared in 140 games last year and slashed .222/.327/.362 with 10 homers, 47 runs, 39 RBI and four stolen bases.

Gardner's option for the 2022 season was declined Thursday, and he is now a free agent.

EDGE Analysis

Gardner had both a player and club option to remain with the Yankees next season, though both were turned down. The player option was worth $2.3 million, so Gardner likely either believes he could earn more in free agency, or he may be contemplating retirement. Gardner hit only .222/.327/.362 across 461 plate appearances in 2021 and would be entering his age-38 season in 2022.

Gardner went 1-for-3 with a double and a stolen base in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Red Sox. He also drew a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Gardner stroked a two-out double in the sixth inning, then he walked and stole second base (his fourth of the year) in the eighth before coming around to score on Giancarlo Stanton's grand slam. The veteran outfielder is riding a modest four-game hitting streak, going 5-for-14 (.357) with three walks during that time.

Gardner went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in Friday's 8-0 win over Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

The blast Friday was Gardner's third in 14 games in September. The outfielder is up to nine homers, 36 RBI, 45 runs scored and three stolen bases while slashing .225/.335/.364 across 408 plate appearances. He's seen a regular role, starting all but one of the Yankees' last 12 contests, and he's batting .298 (14-for-47) this month.

Gardner went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run in Wednesday's victory over the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

The 38-year-old drove in two runs on a single in the top of the ninth, allowing the Yankees to take the lead. The multi-hit effort was his third in his last five starts, and he's collected eight hits in 19 at-bats in those contests. Gardner has struggled to provide any extra-base power this year while posting a .360 SLG, his worst since his rookie season in 2008.

Gardner will sit Tuesday against the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Gardner will sit for the second time in three days as the Yankees bring in all their big bats. Luke Voit starts as the designated hitter, pushing Giancarlo Stanton to left field, Joey Gallo to right and Aaron Judge to Gardner's usual spot in center.

Gardner will start in center field and bat second Monday against the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Making his seventh start in eight games, Gardner appears to have won out over Luke Voit in their battle for one spot in New York's everyday lineup. Voit will crack the lineup Monday at first base in place of a resting Anthony Rizzo and will slot in at designated hitter when the Yankees want to put all of their best power bats in the lineup, but Gardner gives the team a better defensive outfield and helps minimize potential injury risk to Giancarlo Stanton. Moreover, Gardner has emerged as one of the team's better hitters amid its sluggish start to September; he's slashing .281/.324/.531 through the Yankees' first 11 games of the month.

Gardner went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Gardner slammed a two-run shot off Taijuan Walker in the second inning. It was the second of three Yankees' long balls in that inning. The veteran has an extra-base hit in three of his last four games. On the season, he is slashing .222/.332/.353 with eight home runs, 31 RBI, 42 runs and three steals in 287 plate appearances.

Gardner went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

He accounted for all the Yankees' offense with a fifth-inning blast off Alek Manoah. Gardner has started eight of the last 10 games and has hit marginally better over that stretch, slashing .259/.355/.370, but on the year he's still only batting .217 with seven homers, five steals, 29 RBI and 39 runs through 375 plate appearances.

Gardner will start in center field and bat eighth Monday against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Though Gardner will be back in the lineup for the series opener, he appears to have moved into more of a part-time role with manager Aaron Boone having shown more of a willingness to use Aaron Judge in center field and Giancarlo Stanton in right field of late. Stanton will get a day out of the field and serve as a designated hitter Monday, thereby opening up a spot in the outfield for Gardner, who had started in only six of the Yankees' last 13 games.