NEW YORK -- Jacoby Ellsbury became the latest New York Yankees player to be bitten by the injury bug, leaving Friday night's 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox in the second inning with what the club described as a "tight right hip."
An MRI revealed "a little strain" in Ellsbury's right hip, according to manager Joe Girardi, who said Ellsbury is likely to be out a couple of days. Earlier Friday, the Yankees placed pitcher CC Sabathia on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain, and on Wednesday, Alex Rodriguez went on the DL with a right hamstring strain.
Ellsbury suffered the injury in the first inning while stopping short between third and home on a pitch that got away from Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez. Ellsbury remained in the game, however, and scored on Brian McCann's double, but was removed from the game when the Yankees took the field in the top of the second. Aaron Hicks replaced Ellsbury in center field.
For Ellsbury, it was the latest in a series of injuries he has suffered since signing a seven-year, $153 million contract with the Yankees before the 2014 season. Last season, he missed 44 games with a knee strain suffered in May and also dealt with hip pain in April and August. Ellsbury has missed 300 games because of injury over his previous six seasons, dating to his days with the Red Sox.
Girardi said he expects Sabathia, who was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain, to be out longer than 15 days. Rodriguez, who Girardi said has a "Grade 1-plus" strain, is also expected to need more than the 15 days on the disabled list to return to action.
Ellsbury, who had appeared in all 26 games this season, starting 24 of them, is batting .260 with one home run and nine RBIs.
