Jacoby Ellsbury scratched from Saturday's Yankees-Red Sox game
Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury looks on during batting practice at a spring training baseball workout in Fort Myers, Fla. (March 7, 2013) Credit: AP
The Red Sox were without leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury for the second consecutive game due to tightness in his left groin.
Ellsbury sustained the injury during the last of his club-record five stolen bases in helping his team to a 9-2 rout in Philadelphia on Thursday. Although he did not take batting practice before Saturday night's game, manager John Farrell held out hope that he might play in the finale of the three-game series against the Yankees on Sunday night.
"The improvement Jacoby showed today over yesterday is very encouraging," Farrell said. "We are not ruling him out tomorrow with his availability, but we've still got to monitor and check."
The case also might be made to hold out Ellsbury one more day since the Red Sox are off on Monday before they open a three-game series at home against the Rangers, who boast the American League's best record.
As of Saturday, Ellsbury led the major leagues with 21 stolen bases. His five steals in Philadelphia broke the team record of four that he shared with Jerry Remy. They were the most in the major leagues since Carl Crawford swiped six for the Rays in a May 3, 2009 game against the Red Sox.
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