BOSTON -- Add another one to a list of key injuries for the New York Yankees. Yankees manager Joe Girardi expects leadoff hitter Brett Gardner will be out for a lengthy stretch and possibly the rest of the regular season. Girardi made the announcement before New York opened a three-game series with the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Friday night. Gardner left Thursday nights win in Baltimore with the injury, which Girardi said is a "Grade 1 strain in his rib cage." Hes batting .273 with eight homers and 52 RBIs and a big part of New Yorks injury-ravaged offence. "Hes going to be out a while," Girardi said. "Rib cages dont heal real quick. Its not like its just a few days. Is it possible it could be the rest of the year? Yeah." Its the latest in a season filled with injuries for the Yankees, who entered Friday one game back in the ALs wild card chase. "Im almost at the point where I dont think it surprises our guys anymore," Girardi said. "I dont want to diminish how important guys are to us, but weve kind of gotten used to it. A guy comes back, a guy goes down. Thats kind of how its been all year long." Mark Teixeira was on the DL early in the year before being lost for the season with right wrist surgery. Derek Jeter, who missed most of the season recovering from left ankle surgery, was lost this week for the remainder of the season with soreness in the repaired ankle. Outfielder Curtis Granderson, infielder Eduardo Nunez, third baseman Alex Rodriguez and outfielder Jayson Nix are among a number that have missed significant time with injuries. "Its a big loss," said Girardi of Gardner. "You know weve had to overcome a lot through the course of this year. People are going to have to step up during his absence. Hes been really good for us. Hes been really good offensively, defensively and getting us off to good starts." But the Yankees still remain in the hunt. "Its a club that doesnt feel sorry for themselves," Girardi said. "They understand injuries are part of the game and you have to overcome them." Girardi said he hopes to use Gardner as a pinch-runner, but said it wont happen at least until the end of the next series in Toronto. cheap jerseys . The Goldeyes lost 7-4 to the Sioux Falls Pheasants Friday night before 2,714 fans at Sioux Falls Stadium. nfl jerseys china . Off-Season Game Plan looks at an obviously talented Canucks team that GM Mike Gillis will presumably want to keep intact as much as possible heading into next season. http://www.cheapchinajerseynfl.us.co... . PAUL, Minn. [url=http://www.cheapchinajerseynfl.us.com/]cheap nfl jerseys . -- The New England Patriots have agreed to terms with Olympic silver medallist Jeff Demps, who played running back at Florida but was not drafted by an NFL team because he said he wanted to focus on his track career. jerseys from china . McLendon originally made the Steelers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2009. He has appeared in 37 games over the past three seasons and has three career sacks.MIAMI -- David Beckham hopped onto the stage, his back to sun-splashed Biscayne Bay, and a pack of photographers jostled for position as admirers cheered and chanted. "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. The deal will be finalized when the former English national team captain can secure a financing plan and location for a new stadium. Beckham attended a news conference with MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez to discuss their progress. "This is an exciting time, and something were really looking forward to bringing to Miami," Beckham told a crowd of more than 300 people on a downtown museum plaza. The event was frequently interrupted by cheers for Beckham, whos popular around the world and especially in celebrity-smitten Miami. The retired soccer icon has scouted possible stadium sites and is seeking investors to assist with startup costs such as construction and player acquisitions. Among those who might become involved is Miami Heat star LeBron James, who has had recent conversations with Beckham about bringing a team to Miami. "LeBron has become a friend over the last few years," Beckham said. "We spoke about this on the business side and also as friends. Hes very interested in this." Beckham, looking the part of a businessman in a suit and tie, said city officials have promised the teams stadium will be downtown, which is his preference. "We dont want public funding," Beckham said to applause. "We will fund the stadium ourselves. We have worked very hard to get to this stage where we can fund the stadium ourselves. We want to create a football club that is the peoples football club." Gimenez -- who at one point referred to Beckham as "Beckman" -- said theres political support for a plan. "We started our negotiations last week," Gimenez said. "We have to get rolling. Theres a time crunch. We are willing partners. We are very grateful that Mr. Beckham and MLS have chosen Miami as the site for their next franchise. Were going to do all in our power to make sure we get the stadium built in the right place as quickly as possible." New teams have been announced for 2015 iin New York City and Orlando, Fla.dddddddddddd, increasing the leagues total to 21. Beckham declined to offer a timetable regarding when Miami might play its first game, but a likely target is 2017. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Los Angeles Galaxy and Paris Saint-Germain star has the right to an expansion team at a discount fee of $25 million. MLSs Miami Fusion played in Fort Lauderdale from 1998-01 before folding because of poor attendance, but this time, Beckhams star power could make a difference. "Miami is a vibrant city with a lot of passion," he said. "I know this city is ready for football -- soccer -- this time around. I know this is going to be successful." The crowd at the news conference included a throng of chanting, singing fans. "People here love this sport," Garber said. "We together have no doubt it will be a very successful MLS team." Beckham said he also wants to start a childrens soccer academy in Miami. Shareholders in the team will include Beckhams business partner Simon Fuller, the "American Idol" creator who is the driving force in franchise negotiations, and Marcelo Claure, president and CEO of Brightstar Corp. Beckham said hell finalize his group of investors over the next couple of months. He declined to say what players he would like to bring to the team. "We have a list," he said. "We want to bring some of the best players in football to Miami to play on this team. Ive seen what happens to teams when you bring great players in. Im talking about the Heat." That brought cheers from the crowd. James and the Heat have won the past two NBA titles. Beckham laughingly ruled out hiring his former manager, Alex Ferguson, to coach the team, but said he has ideas regarding that search, as well. "I kind of know what makes a great coach and what doesnt," he said. "Well have a good coach here." Beckham praised the growth in recent of years of MLS and said hes optimistic about the leagues direction. Regular-season attendance increased from an average of 15,504 in 2006 to a record 18,807 in 2012 before dropping slightly this season to 18,594. "Ive seen the change in this league," Beckham said. "Ive seen the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona come over to America. They want to play against the MLS teams. Theyre interested in this league, and thats whats changing." cheap jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' '