Thursday night's 9-5 loss to Chicago was messy — and not just because rookie pitcher Junichi Tazawa got lit up for nine runs in four innings. The Red Sox also lost center-fielder Jacoby Ellsbury in the bottom of the fifth, when he injured his left ankle sliding into White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski's shin guard at home plate.
After the game, manager Terry Francona told Boston.com he is "hopeful" Ellsbury will play on Friday.
"I don't think it's anything serious," he said. "We're certainly going to check with him tomorrow. I don't think it will be anything more than a nagging thing, and I'm glad we took him out. Got some ice on it, got it treated and I'm hopeful that it'll be fine."
Ellsbury went 2-for-3 before his exit. He is currently hitting .298 with six home runs and 45 RBIs.
He was replaced with Rocco Baldelli in center field.
