Holliday sent for tests as illness remains mystery
CHICAGO — Matt Holliday was unavailable to the Yankees on Monday, and the team is still trying to figure out what’s wrong with him. Holliday had suffered what the team called an allergic reaction on June 17 in Oakland. He did not play that day, or this past Sunday at home. The Yankees had Holliday undergo more tests on Monday.
“He said he woke up and felt decent this morning, and then it came back at like 2 o’clock, so we sent him to the doctor to get some tests,” Joe Girardi said before the Yankees opened up a four-game series with the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. “He’s just kind of achy and tired, and generally doesn’t feel good.”
Girardi was unsure if Holliday would require a stint on the disabled list. In 68 games, the 37-yearold veteran has 15 homers and an .877 OPS.
“I think our hope is we’ll have a better idea after the tests come through, which will probably be sometime tomorrow,” Girardi said. “I really don’t know.”
ELLSBURY BACK
Jacoby Ellsbury returned to the Yankees on Monday, and was in the lineup hitting sixth and playing center field. Ellsbury had been on the DL since suffering a concussion on May 24. He went 1-for5 with two runs scored.
He had been participating in minor-league rehab games with Triple-A Scranton after finally feeling symptom-free, and was slated to continue with DoubleA Trenton. But with Aaron Hicks expected to miss the next 3-4 weeks with a right oblique strain, Ellsbury was reinstated to the bigleague roster.
It was a tough road back for Ellsbury, who had experienced setbacks in his attempt to return.
“We probably could’ve left him down there a couple more days, but he’s swinging the bat well,” Girardi said. “We just thought he was ready to go.”
The manager added: “There’s a chance that I’ll give him off one of these days we play three lefties in a row. There are really no restrictions. I’ve just got to be careful.”
EVERYDAY AUSTIN
Joe Girardi said that Tyler Austin will be the team’s everyday first baseman. The Yankees recalled Rob Refsnyder, who is also capable of playing first, and Ronald Herrera from Triple-A Scranton, and optioned Mason Williams and Tyler Webb down to the RailRiders. … Didi Gregorius got the night off. … Luis Cessa will start on Thursday. It will be his third start in place of the injured CC Sabathia. Sabathia (hamstring) probably won’t need a rehab start, Girardi said. … There haven’t been any discussions about innings limits for either Jordan Montgomery or Luis Severino. … Adam Warren (shoulder inflammation) doesn’t know when he will be able to return from the DL, but is hopeful that it can be next homestand. … Aaron Judge still hasn’t made his mind about the Home Run Derby, but hasn’t said anything to indicate that he won’t participate. Judge still leads all AL players in All-Star votes. … The Yankees had lost six in a row on the road. … They are 30-9 when scoring five or more runs this season.