NEW YORK (AP) -- Yankees manager Joe Girardi says it's possible that speedy outfielder Brett Gardner could be activated from the disabled list soon to give New York a potential pinch-runner on the bench.

Gardner has been sidelined since April 18 with a strained right elbow that led to surgery in July. Girardi says the Yankees don't expect Gardner to be able to hit again this season, but his legs and glove could be useful down the stretch.

Gardner ran the bases and worked on bunting Saturday before New York played Tampa Bay. He said he feels 100 percent and could be just a couple of days away from being able to appear in a game. He plans to practice sliding headfirst in the next day or two.

New York began the day tied with Baltimore atop the AL East.