Gardner's 2012 season is over.(Getty Images)

Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner will undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair his injured elbow injury, the club announced Thursday. It is likely to end Gardner's 2012 season.

Gardner, 28, was only able to play nine games this season before being sidelined with what was initially called a strained right elbow. It wasn't initially believed to be season-threatening, but he twice started a minor-league rehab assignment and was subsequently shut down each respective stint with soreness. Reports indicate that Gardner had a simulated game Sunday and again felt soreness.

Gardner, 28, hit .259/.345/.369 with 87 runs and an AL-best 49 stolen bases last season. In just nine games this season, he hit .321/.424/.393 with two steals. He's also one of the best defensive players in baseball.

With Gardner out, the Yankees have mostly used Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones in left field, so obviously that will remain the case unless the Yankees add a left fielder prior to the July 31st trade deadline. 

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