David Robertson has reached the next step of his journey back to the major leagues -- he will travel to Rochester to pitch in a couple of games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this weekend, with an eye on a possible return to the Yankees late next week.

Robertson said he will pitch on Sunday, take Monday off, and pitch again on Tuesday. He will then be evaluated by the medical and training staff, who will determine whether he needs more rehab outings before returning to the Yankees.

Robertson, on the DL since May 14 with a strained left oblique, said he was pain-free after cutting loose in a bullpen session at Yankee Stadium on Thursday. He was scheduled to play catch Friday and Saturday before heading to Rochester for Sunday's game.

Brett Gardner is in the starting lineup Friday night for the Single-A Charleston RiverDogs, and is expected to play at least two games, Friday and Saturday, before the Yankees make a decision on his return from a strained right elbow. It is possible Gardner, who has appeared in just nine games all season, could join the team in Atlanta when the Yankees begin a three-game series with the Braves on Monday night.