Both David Robertson and Brett Gardner are in Tampa on rehab assignments, but from the way Joe Girardi was talking before tonight's game against the A's in Oakland, it's not likely either of then will be ready to play before the team returns to Yankee Stadium on June 5.

Girardi said Gardner, who has not played since April 17 due to a strain of his right elbow, will not even try to swing a bat before Monday. Robertson, on the DL since May 14 with strained left oblique, played catch on Thursday and according to the manager, "felt pretty decent.''

But Girardi said Robertson still felt some stiffness in the area of the injury and although he is slated to throw lightly again on Monday, there is still no timetable for him to throw off a mound. "We have to be a little bit cautious in the beginning to make sure nothing's there,'' Girardi said.

Last week, Robertson had expressed hope that he could rejoin the team when it gets to Detroit for a three-game series on June 1. But Girardi said he doubted that would happen.

"I think players are always hopeful. They don't always put the timeline together,'' Girardi said. "I'm not at all sure that's going to happen.''