Jacoby Ellsbury left his team's game against the Tampa Bay Rays in the fourth inning after a collision with infielder Reid Brignac, who landed on Ellsbury's right shoulder while he was sliding into second base during a routine double play. Ellsbury was diagnosed with a "right shoulder injury" by the team and will be re-evaluated later.
Ellsbury remained on the ground for several minutes after Brignac made impact and was clutching his right shoulder. He was helped up and walked back to the clubhouse. Cody Ross moved to center field and Ryan Sweeney moved to right following Ellsbury's injury.
Unfortunately, this is not the first bout with injury for Ellsbury, who missed a significant portion of the 2010 season (he only played 18 games) after colliding with then Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre during a game against the Kansas City Royals on April 11. Ellsbury, then playing left field, collided with Beltre's knee and fractured four ribs.
Ellsbury was batting .192 with zero home runs and three RBI entering Friday's game.
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