Ellsbury probably out for season with fractured rib
After already missing over three months of the season with five cracked ribs, tests taken on Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury showed that he now has another fractured rib and is probably done for the season.
"My guess is that this may be season ending. I mean, you know, again, I don't know if you rule it out completely, but I don't know if you're going to see him back," said manager Terry Francona.
Ellsbury has appeared in just 18 games this season, averaging .192. It is not known whether this injury is related to the one he suffered on April 11th after colliding with third baseman Adrian Beltre. Ellsbury was hurt again after colliding with Texas Rangers’ pitcher Tommy Hunter in a game last week. He was then placed on the disabled list for a third time this season, just nine games after coming off his second stint on the DL.
The timing is not exactly ideal either as Boston also got word that outfielder Mike Cameron is done for the season with an abdominal tear and other complications. Cameron was surprised when hearing about Ellsbury’s latest setback, but pointed out that’s the kind of season it has been for the team.
"Are you serious?" Cameron said when told of Ellsbury's rib condition. "Wow, that's hard. It's been a hard year, man, for this ballclub. At the same time, there have been so many guys -- the Cinderella Man over there in the corner [Darnell McDonald], [Daniel] Nava come up and do his thing, Kalish in a short time has been able to shine and show people he is able to play. And don't forget this guy [Bill Hall] right here."
Ellsbury being out takes away a great outfielder and brings a lot of speed out of the Red Sox batting line up. Ellsbury is one of the fastest base-runners in the game and his absence has prevented the Red Sox from being able to steal bases or bring runners home. Dustin Pedroia is back with the team but Ellsbury being out is still a significant blow for a team that has already overcome so much this season.
"I'm really thinking it's coming down to the last week and a half, two weeks. We've had a rope to hang ourselves and we've still been able to manage,” Cameron said. “That's what's been special about this club. It's been a special year. You look at all the guys who have been hurt, but it's still been a special year because of things guys have done, so many guys doing big things. If you allow a team of this caliber to hang around, a team that has this pedigree of being able to win, who knows what type of experience it may bring going down the stretch."
That would be something truly special if the Red Sox can extend their season into October with everything they’ve been through this season.
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