New York Yankees: Updating Every Major Injury on Memorial Day 2012

The New York Yankees (26-21) are riding a five-game winning streak as of Memorial Day 2012.

I'm updating each of the team's major injuries at this famous benchmark of the MLB season.

Changes in the statuses of these players occasionally go unreported, but I've gone to great lengths to obtain the latest information.

Read on for news concerning Brett Gardner, David Robertson and other notable wounded Bombers.

David Aardsma: Tommy John Surgery

The man who's always first in alphabetical order leads off this slideshow.

Former closer David Aardsma was quietly signed by New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman this past February. Having undergone Tommy John surgery last summer, he was a cheap acquisition.

During a 35-pitch bullpen session on May 14, he was cleared to throw sliders again. He repeated the feat on May 21.

We might see him in the majors this August.

Michael Pineda: Torn Right Labrum

First-year New York Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda will be out for the rest of 2012...and possibly longer.

On May 1, he underwent an arthroscopic procedure to repair a tear in the labrum of his right shoulder. Original estimates expected him to miss about a year.

However, Sweeny Murti of CBS spoke one-on-one with Pineda the following week. The 23-year-old said that he could be "100 percent in spring training."

Joba Chamberlain: Tommy John Surgery, Open Right Ankle Dislocation

From the details of Joba Chamberlain's "grotesque ankle injury," it didn't sound like the reliever would contribute to the 2012 New York Yankees. After all, he was still rehabbing his right elbow following Tommy John surgery.

But he has reportedly made progress.

Chamberlain began "walking without a boot" on May 8, and he has been playing catch since April.

Don't count him out just yet.

Austin Romine: Inflamed Disc in Back

New York Yankees fans caught their first glimpse of catching prospect Austin Romine last September.

But he hasn't had the opportunity to hone his skills in the interim. An inflamed disc in Romine's back has kept him off the field.

According to Dan Martin of the New York Post, Dr. Robert Watkins examined him last month and said he'll be out until July.

GM Brian Cashman told Martin that Romine began rehabbing the injury shortly after the visit.

Mark Teixeira: Bronchial Illness

In case it wasn't evident from his three-homer, eight-RBI weekend, Mark Teixeira is recovering from a lingering bronchial ailment.

He had been bothered by a persistent cough since the New York Yankees' first April homestand.

"The days off have helped," he told MLB.com on May 26. "I'm just trying to make a little bit of progress every day."

His symptoms should be gone following a travel day on May 31.

Russell Martin: Stiff Neck

Catcher Russell Martin has missed consecutive games for the first time this season.

His health issue? A stiff neck.

The offensively-challenged starter—.177/.326/.327 entering May 28—"tweaked" it while weight-lifting.

He hopes to return to the New York Yankees lineup on Monday.

Brett Gardner: Right Elbow Strain

The slumbering New York Yankees batting order finally awoke during a recent series against the Oakland Athletics. But obviously, run-scoring would come more easily if speedster Brett Gardner were to reprise his role in the No. 9 spot.

What was originally described as an elbow bruise on April 18 has "morphed" into a strain, limiting Gardner to nine MLB games in 2012.

An MRI this past week revealed that the muscle has healed.

He will swing a bat on Monday and—barring any setbacks—don the pinstripes again after a brief minor league rehab assignment.

David Robertson: Strained Left Oblique

Reliever David Robertson is eligible to be activated from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday. Unfortunately, that won't happen.

The New York Yankees setup man/closer only began a throwing program on Thursday. He is scheduled for another session on Monday, though there is no timetable for him to get on a mound.

He hasn't pitched in the big leagues since May 12 because of a strained left oblique.

Robertson could be at full strength by mid-June.

Mariano Rivera: Torn Right ACL

It has been a month since New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera was lost for the 2012 season with a torn right ACL.

Still, the pinstriped immortal awaits a surgery date to mend it. His knee remains inoperable because of a blood clot in the vicinity of the compromised ligament.

Forget an October return. Considering Rivera's age—he'll turn 43 this offseason—the team is just praying that the clot dissipates soon so he'll be ready for Opening Day 2013.

Fortunately, there is no risk of the injury worsening during this delay.

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