Ellsbury resumed baseball activities on Thursday, and said he is hopeful of a return from a strained oblique before Opening Day. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
For the first time since March 15, New York Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury was able to swing a bat.
Ellsbury said the batting cage work — he hit off a tee — went “great.”
He resumed baseball activities on Thursday, and said he is hopeful of a return from a strained oblique before Opening Day.
“I guess the biggest thing is, I haven’t had it before, so I’m basically going off their instructions,” Ellsbury said. “These are the steps that worked in the past for guys, so this is the progression we want you to take. I’m just listening to them and I know they’re doing a very good job.”
Ellsbury had been permitted to sprint and take “dry swings” with a broomstick before Thursday.
Manager Joe Girardi said the key date is March 31. If Ellsbury gets game action by then, the Yankees will expect him to be ready for the opener April 6.
“I’m very optimistic,” Ellsbury said.
Ellsbury is in the second season of a seven-year contract worth $153. He hit .271 in his first year with the Yankees, with 39 stolen bases, 16 home runs and 27 doubles, after coming up with the Boston Red Sox.
