9:30pm: Ellsbury has been placed on the 7-day DL, tweets MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. The team has yet to announce a corresponding roster move, however.
7:30pm: The Yankees announced that center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury was removed from tonight’s game with a concussion and a neck sprain. Ellsbury made a sensational catch of a deep fly-ball to center field but crashed into wall upon making the grab and was down on the field for several seconds before being attended to by trainers (video link). That occurred on the first play of the game, and while Ellsbury initially remained in the contest, he was replaced by Aaron Hicks in the bottom of the second inning.
While the Yankees haven’t made an announcement of a DL trip, it seems that the diagnosis of a concussion would likely call for a trip to the 7-day disabled list. Ellsbury has played quite well thus far in 2017, hitting .281/.349/.422 with four homers and eight steals through the first 153 plate appearances of his age-33 campaign. If he is indeed sidelined, the Yanks have the outfield depth to get by, as Hicks has also been tremendous in what is shaping up to be a breakout campaign. Hicks or Brett Gardner could handle the bulk of the work in center, with the other playing left field and Aaron Judge manning right field.
In the event of a DL stint, Mason Williams seems like the most logical candidate to replace Ellsbury on the roster. The fleet-footed 25-year-old has hit poorly in Triple-A this season, but he’s already on the Yankees’ 40-man roster, whereas top prospect Clint Frazier would require a corresponding 40-man roster move. And, given the organization’s hope for Frazier in the long run, the Yankees may not want to bring Frazier up as a temporary injury replacement. Alternatively, the ability of both Hicks and Gardner to handle center field could make Rob Refsnyder a short-term option, as he’s begun to play some corner outfield in recent seasons as well.
Saw he headline and said
“Who’d he collide with?”
Maybe they would call up Refsnyder. He can play corner outfield.
No,no,and he’ll no! If anything they should cut bait with that scrub!
I agree, Refsnyder has been a huge disappointment. I think they should call up Fowler, he’s been doing really well and just homered again tonight.
I definitely concur.
Fowler would also require a 40-man move, which the Yankees may be a bit reluctant to do.
Or play hicks everyday
That’s true, but do you really think the Yanks would want to call up Refsnyder who can’t play center, or Mason Williams who has really underwhelmed at AAA? I wouldn’t be surprised if they did, but it would be a bit disappointing.
Roster resource shows the 40 man at 39. Is that just because Austin is on the 60 day?
marlinsman, assuming Ellsbury will be out the minimum 7 days, whoever gets called up will get limited playing time. Aaron Hicks will now just be in the lineup every day and he’s had an excellent season thusfar.
They haven’t made a 40-man move since they DFA’d Kozma so yes there’s an extra slot already open
The guy is hitting .300 in AAA with 14 XBH… Cut him some slack.
Greg Bird is about to begin rehab and Tyler Austin has been playing well in his recovery from his foot injury. I think the more likely scenario is the Yankees bring back Austin and rotate him and Chris Carter in some type of first base/DH/RF platoon with Holliday and Judge. That gives you room to maneuver Hicks and Gardner, as the rotation looked to be working well with them and Ellsbury. Honestly at this point I think Austin is superfluous, but getting him some reps and looks could be good for a mid season trade. Mason Williams and Ref are an afterthought
Austin would make sense.
Mason Williams is the obvious call up
Likely going to be Mason Williams brought up, though I expect limited playing time for him.
I agree^^^no reason to add anyone to 40-man right now. Let hicks and gardy keep rollin. Have Williams play once a week plus some pinch running.
Now if ellsbury is still out by the time mid June rolls around, now you consider fowler or frazier. Austin should be back by then as well.
Whoever gets called up will get very limited playing time. That said, the logical choice is either Refsnyder or Austin since they can both play RF and 1B.
Well Austin isn’t coming back til the 29th at the earliest
Refsnyder was called up and that was the choice all along for various reason guys.
1.Can play various positions. Corner outfield and all infield positions.
2.Tyler Austin has only played a handfull of games and the Yanks will send him to Triple-A when he’s ready. Yanks 40 man is at 39 the 40th is his spot.
3.Dustin Fowler yes he’s been killing it at Triple-A but again the 40th spot on the 40Man is Tyler Austin’s. They would have to make a move by DFAing someone and to lose someone on the 40 man would hurt the Yanks cuz we got a lot of good guys on it. (Tommy Layne could go I wouldn’t mind)
4.Mason Williams cant even hit a beach ball in Triple-A if they gave him the chance. Plus he’s more injury prone then Ells.
So by calling up Ref it was the correct move to make.
It would actually be great comedy to watch Refsnyder try to play shortstop.
Ref is a good move. Hicks and Gardner can both CF and Ref can 1B, 2B, and RF if necessary
Agreed and there is no reason to start the prospects MLB time clock.