Broken or Bruised? Ellsbury In Colorado Having Sore Foot Evaluated.
According to NBC Sports’ Craig Calcaterra, industry sources said Saturday that doctors are trying to determine whether Red Sox center fielder Jacob y Ellsbury has a deep bone bruise or fracture in his right foot sustained as the result of fouling a ball off his foot Aug. 28 in a game at Fenway Park. The Boston Globe reported that Ellsbury would be in Vail, Colorado to be assessed by doctor Dr. Thomas Clanton at the Steadman Clinic.
Does Ellsbury have bone bruise or break? Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Quotes from Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington and Red Sox Manager John Farrell appear to contradict one another regarding Ellsbury’s condition.
“My understanding is … there’s no long-term concern here,” general manager Ben Cherington said before Saturday afternoon’s game. “It’s really about how do we best manage it over the course of the next several weeks and hopefully he can play a lot in those several weeks.”
“I don’t think we’re looking at something that is just day to day here,” Farrell told The Boston Globe’s Gordon Edes Saturday. “But before we get into any kind of time frame, I think what’s probably best for all involved here is to wait until we get more conclusive evidence and information.”
Ellsbury aggravated the injury Thursday night stealing second base in the 10th inning of Boston’s 9-8 win over the New York Yankees and did not respond to treatment Friday, according to Farrell.
If the foot requires long-term healing and if the Red Sox make the playoffs, which is increasingly likely, Ellsbury would have until October 4 to recuperate. Even so, coming back sharp and battle hardened will be the big question if he’s out for any extended period of time.
Ellsbury leads major league baseball with 52 stolen bases on the year, making him a central component in Boston’s offense and a one of the big reasons why they have steadily built a bigger lead of AL East opponents since mid-August. The Sox have called up Jackie Bradley, Jr. to take Ellsbury’s spot in center while he’s being evaluated or healing.