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New York Yankees News: Jacoby Ellsbury to Start Rehab Monday, Could Return By Friday

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Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury will begin a rehab assignment on Monday and could possibly return on Friday, reports Andrew Marchand at ESPN.

Before the Yankees finished up a series with the Houston Astros on Sunday, Ellsbury had one last test-run with manager Joe Girardi at Minute Maid Park. It apparently went well, green-lighting the Yankees’ outfielder to start rehab in Tampa, Florida. 

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In 37 games this season, Ellsbury hit .324 with one home run, six runs batted in, and 17 stolen bases before he was sidelined with a right-knee sprain. The Yankees were 20-17 in games Ellsbury started, and have gone 19-16 since he went on the disabled list five weeks ago.

The Yankees begin a three-game set in Anaheim on Monday, and return home on Friday to face the Tampa Bay Rays. Girardi told reporters “it is possible” Ellsbury can return for the beginning of that series.

The Yankees will have a difficult decision to make regarding the lead-off spot upon Ellbury’s return. Brett Gardner has been brilliant taking over the role, hitting .308 since Ellsbury’s departure, including a .489 (22-for-45) streak over his last ten games.

In all 37 games he played in this season, Ellsbury batted first, usually with Gardner hitting behind him. Ells bury has nearly twice as many career at-bats as Gardner out of the leadoff spot, and Gardner is a more experienced batter out of the #2 hole.

Placing Ellsbury in the leadoff spot may help him adapt back to major league pitching. With the surging Gardner hitting behind him, he will be sure to get some great pitches to hit. The Yankees signed Ellsbury to a seven-year, $153 million deal party based on the plan to have him as their leadoff hitter, and they should not abandon that plan just because of an injury and a hot-streak.

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