Yankees sign Gardner, avoid arbitration

The New York Yankees have agreed with outfielder Brett Gardner on a one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration, the team announced Friday.

Financial terms were not available. Gardner, 29, earned $2.8 million in 2012.

Gardner played to just 16 games in 2012 because of a right elbow strain suffered in April that required arthroscopic surgery. He hit .323 in his limited action.

Gardner probably will be in the Yankees' 2013 starting lineup in either left field or center field.