When the Yankees’ Brett Gardner hurt his right elbow — not the one he throws with — making a diving catch attempt on April 17, it didn’t seem too serious. Typical routine: disabled list, rehab assignment, maybe back in a month.

Except it didn’t work that way. Gardner had three setbacks, a platelet injection, and now he’s going to have surgery on the elbow. Evan Dreilich:

New York will most likely carry on the rest of the season without Gardner, who is scheduled for arthroscopic surgery on his right (non-throwing) elbow next week. Gardner’s 2012 seemingly ends with just nine games played, the last on April 17.

“They made it sound like we probably won’t have him the rest of this year,” said manager Joe Girardi after a 4-3 loss to the A’s Thursday night. He learned Gardner was headed for surgery before the game. “Let’s get it cleaned up and get him healthy.”

Meanwhile, the loss of Gardner hasn’t seemed to hurt the Yankees at all. They’ve had veterans Raul Ibanez, Andruw Jones and DeWayne Wise fill in, and have the best record in baseball, 57-35. They’ll miss Gardner’s speed, but they seem to find ways to win regardless.

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