Ellsbury Set To Appear Wednesday Night
After being sidelined since September 5 with a compression fracture of the navicular bone in his right foot, Jacoby Ellsbury has made marked progress and is scheduled to appear in center field for the Red Sox in the second and final game against the Colorado Rockies Wednesday night.
Sep 5, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (2) hits a ground rule double to deep right allowing a runner to score and a man to advance during the third inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Ellsbury’s quick return to the lineup before the season ends should put a cherry on Boston’s 2013 season sundae, especially if he can stay healthy. Without Ellsbury Boston is still a very good baseball team. With Ellsbury, they have been special this year.
When Ells returns, Dustin Pedroia will move out of the leadoff spot and back to the No. 3 spot in the batting order.
“We’ll get through today’s workout and if he checks out OK, we’re hopeful that he can be in the lineup for part of the game tomorrow night,” manager John Farrell told MLB.com’s Ian Browne on Tuesday. Farrell said Ellsbury’s return, whether it’s Wednesday against the Rockies or Friday against the Orioles, would likely be for a few innings.
Having Ellsbury get some valuable at bats before the Sox get underway in the post season will be key to having their best chance of going deep in the playoffs.
The 30-year-old impending free agent was batting .299/.355/.424 with 52 stolen bases and 89 runs scored in 131 games before the injury.