KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Early Wednesday afternoon, the Yankees hoped Jacoby Ellsbury would be able to play Friday against the Tigers in Lakeland.
Long before the sun set, the club announced the center fielder had undergone an MRI exam in Tampa that uncovered a low-grade oblique strain and wouldn’t participate in baseball activities for at least seven days.
Ellsbury last played Sunday when he tripled.
“We will take about six or seven days and see where he is at. I am not too concerned,’’ manager Joe Girardi said. “This is the time we can take some time and not rush him back. I am not bothered by it. There is plenty of time [to be ready for Opening Day] I think.’’
Girardi’s plan was for Ellsbury to play against the Braves on Wednesday, but he was scratched from that Tuesday night. Last year Ellsbury suffered a calf injury on March 14 and didn’t appear in a big league exhibition game again but was ready for Opening Day.
Because Ellsbury won’t resume baseball activities until March 26 at the earliest, it is unlikely he will play in a major league exhibition game before April 4, when the preseason ends.
If Ellsbury has to start the regular season on the 15-day disabled list, he can’t be back-dated before March 27.
With Brett Gardner shifting from left to center for Ellsbury, Girardi started Jose Pirela in left field.
“We are moving him around, places he can play,’’ Girardi said of the 25-year-old utility man who was 0-for-3 Wednesday, dropping his spring average to .391 (9-for-23) with three homers in 12 games. “You never know what is going to happen. He played the outfield last year and there is a chance you will see him in center in spring training.’’
Even with a solid spring training, Pirela isn’t a lock to make the big league club when camp ends. Stephen Drew, who homered, is the second baseman and Brendan Ryan, if healthy, is the backup infielder who can play second, short and third but is a liability at the plate.
Should Alex Rodriguez make the Opening Day roster, as expected, that’s another infielder.
The Phillies, who are in the market for a backup catcher, are following what the Yankees do with Austin Romine, who is out of options.
When the Yankees visit Florida’s East Coast Sunday and Monday to play the Mets and Nationals, respectively, there are strong indications Rodriguez won’t play in either game.
“There is a possibility Sunday and Monday,’’ Girardi said when asked if Rodriguez would remain in Tampa to get at-bats in minor league exhibition games instead of making the trip.
CC Sabathia’s second exhibition start will be Sunday against the Mets in Port St. Lucie.
Nevertheless, Masahiro Tanaka, who started last night, won’t face the Nationals on Monday.
Wagner College product Andrew Bailey appeared in his first big league spring training game Wednesday night. It was the initial time facing big league hitters since 2013, when he was with the Red Sox and suffered a significant shoulder injury that required surgery.
“It felt good, it was nice to get out there,’’ said Bailey, who gave up an unearned run and two hits in one frame.
Bailey, 30, has 89 big league saves.
“We feel what we have seen so far he can be player in our pen,’’ Girardi said of Bailey eventually surfacing in The Bronx. “He knows how to pitch.’’