It was assumed when Jacoby Ellsbury‘s name didn’t appear on the Red Sox lineup card Friday afternoon that the outfielder would be sitting down with more discomfort in his hand, the same ailment that caused him to miss a game against the Tigers earlier in the week. It appears, however, that a different injury is what will keep Ellsbury out of Friday night’s game in the Bronx.
Ellsbury is out of the lineup for the second game of a four-game series against the Yankees with a foot injury, according to The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham. It’s a tough blow for the Red Sox given Ellsbury’s play of late. When he has been in the lineup, he’s been very effective, hitting .375 to go along with a .419 on-base percentage in his last nine games. Ellsbury has also stolen five bases in that stretch.
The Yankees will send Andy Pettitte to the mound in the second game of the series, a pitcher Ellsbury has hit well in his career. Ellsbury is 10-for-30 for his career with a home run and seven RBIs against the veteran left-hander. Shane Victorino will assume Ellsbury’s place atop the Boston batting order. Victorino has some success against Pettitte, too, hitting .333 (6-for-18) with a home run against the southpaw.
The Red Sox will once again look to Will Middlebrooks to turn the lineup over at the bottom. The third baseman is hitting ninth Friday night, where he’s hit .438 (7-for-16) with two home runs and seven RBIs in his last four games. He’s also 3-for-5 in his career against Pettitte.
Here are the lineups for Friday’s game.
Red Sox
Shane Victorino, CF
Jonny Gomes, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Daniel Nava, RF
Stephen Drew, SS
David Ross, C
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Felix Doubront, P
Yankees
Brett Gardner, CF
Derek Jeter ,DH
Alfonso Soriano, LF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Vernon Wells, RF
Eduardo Nunez, SS
Mark Reynolds, 1B
Chris Stewart, C
Andy Pettitte, P
