Ellsbury Out For Red Sox With Hand/Thumb Discomfort
BOSTON (CBS) - The Red Sox will be without centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury Tuesday night as they continue their series with the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park.
Ellsbury, who had started the last 37 games, will sit out with discomfort in his left hand and thumb, according to the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo. Ellsbury left Sunday afternoon's game in the ninth inning with swelling in his left thumb, but went 1-for-4 with two RBIs in Monday's series opener against the Tigers.
"He came out of the game (on Monday) after having a couple at-bats where he was jammed pretty good, and the bat jammed into that thumb/palm area of his left hand," said Boston manager John Farrell. "Felt like today was a day he needed to get ahead of it."
Preview: Red Sox Face 19-Game Winner Max Scherzer
"Everyday players at this time of the year will be dealing with certain things. We fully expect this to be something he manages the rest of the way," said Farrell, adding that he expects Ellsbury to play on Wednesday.
The absence will hurt Boston as they try to keep Tigers' starter Max Scherzer from becoming baseball's first 20-game winner. Ellsbury is a career 5-for-9 with a homer against Scherzer.
Shane Victorino will play center and lead off for Boston in Ellsbury's place. Daniel Nava will take Victorino's spot in right field and bat second.
Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia will also get the night off, with David Ross catching Sox lefty Jon Lester.
Here is the full Red Sox lineup:
1. Shane Victorino, CF
2. Daniel Nava, RF
3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
4. David Ortiz, DH
5. Mike Carp, 1B
6. Jonny Gomes, LF
7. Stephen Drew, SS
8. David Ross, C
9. Will Middlebrooks, 3B
-- Jon Lester, SP
