Jacoby Ellsbury injures leg on steal, set to undergo MRI

New York Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury left Friday night’s game against the Boston Red Sox following a steal in the first inning.

Jacoby Ellsbury led off the first inning with a walk and would go on to steal both second and third base.  When rounding third, he clutched his right leg and what seemed to be his right hip; the same hip he injured last season while diving for a ball in the outfield.

Ellsbury would go on to score, trotting home gingerly, on an RBI double by Brian McCann.  He immediately went into the clubhouse and would not return to the game.

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Soreness was a persistent problem for Ellsbury last season with his hip injury.  If an MRI proves that it is the same sort of issue, the Yankees should expect more of the same, if not more problems again this season.

The Yankees have already placed both Alex Rodriguez and CC Sabathia on the disabled list this week.  It’s unfortunate to have so many injuries in the clubhouse, but it could force Joe Girardi’s hand to shake things up in New York.

When the Yankees came out in the second, center field was occupied by Aaron Hicks, who started the game in right field, and Dustin Ackley entered the game in right field.  If Ellsbury has to go to the DL, it could mean more playing time for Hicks in center.  Hicks is struggling terribly at the plate, but maybe with more consistent playing time he can find a groove and get some offense going.

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The Yankees already brought up outfielder Ben Gamel in the wake of Brett Gardner‘s elbow injury.  Gardner bruised his arm when he was hit by a pitch on Wednesday against Baltimore.  Gamel had a strong spring for the Yankees and continued that progress in Scranton, where he was batting .286 with one home-run and nine RBI in 23 games.

Another outfield option for the Yankees is Aaron Judge.  While Judge is struggling with strikeouts in Scranton (30 in 102 at-bats), he is still hitting the ball hard, batting .284 with seven doubles, five home-runs, and 17 RBI in 25 games, and could bring some pop to the Yankees’ lineup.

And what about Nick Swisher?  Since joining the Yankees, he has hit .299 with three home-runs and seven RBI in 17 games in Scranton.  Swisher to the Bronx could be a great play for New York, not only as a DH or as a first baseman when needed, but also by bringing a fun, energetic veteran presence to the clubhouse.

The Yankees are currently sitting in last place in the AL East with a 9–17 record.  A little youth and excitement in the Bronx is just what the Yankees and their fan base needs right now.