For the first time since April 18, Brett Gardner's name is back on the Yankees' active roster, and for the first time ever, so is David Aardsma's.

Both were activated by the Yankees today, Gardner after spending most of the year on the disabled list with a strained right elbow that eventually required surgery, and Aardsma after not having thrown a pitch in the major leagues in more than two years with an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery.

To make room on the roster, backup 1B Steve Pearce, who hit .160 with one HR and four RBIs in 12 games for the Yankees, and LHP Justin Thomas, who had an ERA of 9.00 in four relief appearances -- including being charged with the last two runs of Monday night's 6-3 win over the Twins -- were designated for assignment.