Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury will not play Sunday in the series finale at Kansas City, according to manager Terry Francona.
Ellsbury, who was hit by a pitch in the back Friday night, already missed Saturday's contest due to soreness. An MRI revealed no structural damage, but it's clear that the pain from the bruise left behind is enough to warrant more time off.
"Jacoby's sore, but he's moving around," Francona said after the Sox dropped a 9-4 decision to the Royals on Saturday. "We certainly won't play him tomorrow but we'll keep checking him after that."
Ellsbury has missed just two games all season.
As the team's leadoff man spent Saturday waiting for the pain to go away, its designated hitter had a rather productive afternoon.
David Ortiz, who is wrestling with a bout of right heel bursitis, took off his boot long enough to get in 40 swings in the cage. Francona said Ortiz "tolerated" the action just fine and that he could be out of the boot by Monday.
Ortiz said Wednesday that he hoped to return by the end of the road trip. That remains a distinct possibility.
"He's doing really well," Francona said.
