How Yankees' Brett Gardner felt about playing at Yankee Stadium for possibly last time

Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner could be a free agent after the season if his team option isn’t picked up.

NEW YORK — A few people brought it up to Brett Gardner.

Have you considered this could be your last time playing at Yankee Stadium?

Gardner mostly shrugged at them, he said.

“Not too much, man,” Gardner said when asked if he’d thought about it Sunday.

It wasn’t long after the Yankees’ tough 6-3 loss to the Orioles, in which Gardner started in center field for the banged-up Aaron Hicks.

It was the Yankees’ last regular season home game.

They’re in position to host the American League Wild Card Game, but if they do, and if they go farther, there’s no guarantee Gardner — a clubhouse leader who’s spent 11 big-league seasons with the Yankees – would play.

“Just trying to take things day by day,” Gardner said. “Have a good road trip, hopefully get that Wild Card Game at home, keep playing better baseball and keep working and be ready when my name’s called.”

Gregorius hurt: What it means

Gardner, 35, is in the final guaranteed year of his contract — and he’s in a tougher spot than most would have predicted at the All-Star break.

He’s lost his starting job in left field to the recently acquired Andrew McCutchen and he seems unlikely to regain it this season, barring injury.

He’ll cost $12.5 million next season to keep around on his team option. Or the Yankees could decline it, pay him $2.5 million and either let him walk or try to negotiate a different salary.

He’s hit .237 with 12 homers, 43 RBI and a .690 OPS in 133 games — not quite the production he wanted from himself.

Gardner was quite solid in the first half (.254 BA, 9 HR, 33 RBI, .748 OPS). He’s had a rough second half (.209 BA, 3 HR, 10 RBI, .593 OPS). When asked if he’s healthy, he said, “I feel great.”

On Sunday, he started for just the second time in a week, a role he probably wouldn’t have gotten had Hicks not fouled a ball off his left ankle Saturday night.

He got a loud roll call from the Bleacher Creatures and played seven innings, before manager Aaron Boone pinch hit Aaron Judge for him in the seventh inning.

“I haven’t really put too much thought to what (Sunday) could have been or what may or may not happen next season,” said Gardner, who said in June he hopes to play two or three more years, even if it’s not with the Yankees.

“There will be plenty of time for that once the season is over.”

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.