An MRI has revealed a new rib fracture for Jacoby Ellsbury, sending him to the Athletes' Performance Center in Arizona for what could be several weeks of rest and recovery, team medical director Dr. Thomas Gill announced on Thursday.
Ellsbury was sent to see Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles on Wednesday to seek a third opinion on what was causing continued pain in his side.
Gill and Yocum recommended an MRI which showed the new fracture, something that was not visible in prior tests.
"An MRI of Jacoby’s thoracic spine and posterior rib area, recommended by us jointly, revealed a non-displaced rib fracture and edema in the left posterior-axillary line," Gill said in a statement. "This fracture, which is in a different area than the initial fractures and which was not present on previous scans, is likely the result of a new injury which occurred when Jacoby dove and impacted the ground during his brief return to play. Jacoby will require several weeks of rest and physical therapy."
Ellsbury, 26, originally suffered four hairline fractures in his ribs in a collision with third baseman Adrian Beltre on April 11 in Kansas City. He did not return from the disabled list until May 22, but was only able to play three games before experiencing more pain.
The speedster was placed on the DL again on May 28.
Although the club has not said exactly when the new break occurred, it likely happened on a tumbling catch in center field at Citizens Bank Park during the three games that Ellsbury was back. It was a shallow liner that Ellsbury caught coming in and breaking to his right before rolling over awkwardly.
Television footage during that series also caught Ellsbury wincing on a check swing.
The Red Sox leadoff hitter was eligible to return from his latest DL stint this coming Saturday, but will not be ready to go until just before the All-Star break break at the earliest. He has played in only nine games this year, batting .250 with a pair of stolen bases.
