Jacoby Ellsbury left the Boston Red Sox's home opener during the fourth inning on Thursday after trying to break up an inning-ending double play.
Ellsbury slid hard into second base feet first in an effort to disrupt Tampa Bay's shortstop Reid Brignac. After the two collided on the clean slide, Brignac landed on Ellsbury's right shoulder. Ellsbury walked off the field under his own power, but was holding his right shoulder.
The 28-year old finished second in the 2011 AL MVP voting behind Detroit's Justin Verlander after a breakout campaign. The centerfielder batted .321 while establishing career highs with 32 home runs and 105 RBI, winning both the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger at his position.
The severity of Ellsbury's injury is unclear at this time, but any extended absence would be a big blow to the Red Sox order.
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