Center of attention
Ellsbury to be examined, return still in limbo
TORONTO — Jacoby Ellsbury is expected to be examined by a neurologist Monday after not participating in any physical activity Sunday.
“Hopefully we get through this and we get him back next week, but it’s hard to predict,’’ Joe Girardi said.
Ellsbury has been on the seven-day disabled list since May 26 because of a concussion and ligament damage in his neck after running into the outfield wall at Yankee Stadium on May 24.
With Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks and Ellsbury, Girardi had a very productive three-man rotation for two spots. Hicks has thrived playing center every day since Ellsbury went on the DL, but the rotation now includes utilityman Rob Refsnyder, who started at first base Sunday for a second straight game.
Mason Williams, currently at Triple-A Scranton /Wilkes-Barre, is on the 40-man roster and a possibility if the Yankees want a more polished outfielder than Refsnyder, who was drafted out of the University of Arizona in 2012 as a right fielder. Dustin Fowler, who is not on the 40man, is playing well at SWB.
First baseman/right f ielder Tyler Austin, who fractured a bone in his left ankle days before spring training opened, is playing at SWB after starting at Double-A Trenton.
In 13 combined games, the right-handed hitting Austin is batting .341 (15-for-44) with a homer and four RBIs. He has played right field in two games.
“I will talk to [Brian Cashman] when we get back and see where he feels where Tyler is at, where Greg is out,’’ Girardi said.
Girardi said Refsnyder’s ability to play right and left f ield as well as second and first base is a good fit. He went 0-for-3 Sunday.
For the second straight game the slumping Chris Carter came in late as a defensive replacement because Refsnyder started at first base. Carter had one hit in 23 at-bats (.043) and is hitting .180 with 48 strikeouts in 111 atbats.
➤ According to those watching
Greg Bird move through a minor league rehab assignment, there hasn’t been a health issue.
“Physically, the reports have been good,’’ Girardi said of Bird, who played in his fourth game Sunday for Single-A Tampa and went 1-for-4 with an RBI. “He has to get his swing right, too, that’s important.’’
Bird is 4-for-10 (.400) with two RBIs.
➤ Yankee pitchers held the Blue Jays hitless in 24 at-bats with a runner in scoring position in the four games, but won just two of them.
➤ Of the Yankees’ eight hits in Saturday’s 7-0 win over the Blue Jays, four were doubles and four were homers. That is the most hits in team history without a single.