Jacoby Ellsbury’s return from a 37-game absence has not gone well.
Since being activated from the disabled last Saturday, Ellsbury has appeared in just three games, going 1-for-14, and he could be in line for another trip to the DL.
After missing the final two games of the previous series with the Tampa Bay Rays, Ellsbury was not in the lineup for Thursday’s series opener against the Kansas City Royals.
Ellsbury is still feeling the effects of an April 11 collision with teammate Adrian Beltre that fractured four ribs. Ellsbury continues to suffer from soreness in his left side and was examined by team doctor Thomas Gill before the game, NESN.com’s Tony Lee reports.
The Red Sox hope that Ellsbury won’t have to miss significant time once again, but they are in wait-and-see mode.
"We’re not at the bottom of it," manager Terry Francona said. "We don’t want to rush into putting him on the disabled list, but at the same time, he’s not ready to play because of the way he feels."
Ellsbury has played in just nine games this season and is batting .250 (11-for-44) with three RBIs, two stolen bases and one walk.
