Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (left) is headed to the DL. Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The Yankees lost more than a game Tuesday night. They lost their leadoff man, as outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury tweaked his right knee swinging at a pitch from Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez in the fourth inning. He left the game in the bottom of the inning and finished the night on the disabled list.
“Jacoby is our leadoff guy, gets on base and kind of gets things started,” Yankees catcher Brian McCann said. “We’re hoping for the best. I’m not sure what the news is, but we’re hoping for the best.”
In the top of the fourth, Ellsbury walked and then took second on a groundout. While at second, he was checked out by manager Joe Girardi and medical personnel. Ellsbury remained in the game and ended up scoring on a single by Chris Young. He then left the game when the Yankees took the field on defense.
“It’s not what you want. Somebody will have to step up. It’s part of the game,” said Girardi.
The Yankees are awaiting MRI results. Ellsbury is hitting .324 in 37 games with a home run, six RBIs and 14 steals in 19 tries.
Outfielder Slade Heathcott will take Ellsbury’s place on the 25-man roster. Heathcott, 24, hit .285 with one homer and 17 RBIs in 151 trips to the plate with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. But he is hitting .154 in his last 10 games in the minors. He has a lifetime batting average of .270 in 346 minor league games.
