By Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.com Bruins InsiderFollow @hackswithhaggs
KANSAS CITYJacoby Ellsbury got a scare and a bit of a deja-vu feeling -- and so did the Red Sox -- when he was drilled by a pitch in the back in the eighth inning of Friday night's 7-1 win over the Royals.
It was in Kauffman Stadium, after all, that Ellsbury's 2010 season was derailed when he collided with third baseman Adrian Beltre and suffered broken ribs that sidelined him for all but 12 of the remaining 156 games. And as he visibly winced in pain while walking to first base Friday night, all the while being checked by trainer Mike Reinhold and manager Terry Francona, those memories couldn't help but bubble up.
"This is where he broke his ribs last year," said teammate Jed Lowrie.
Ellsbury stayed in the game after being hit and wound up scoring a run, but was lifted in the bottom of the eighth. Francona said it was precautionary, and Ellsbury agreed.
I was running the bases and I was fine. Then we justwanted to throw some ice on it, said Ellsbury.
"Francona wanted to take me out and rest it."
Ellsbury has missed only one game this season while postingMVP numbers and, at times, carrying the Red Sox to wins when otherplayers were injured or slumping. The 56 extra-base hits, 33 stolenbases, .313 batting average and .887 OPS indicate how important he is to the Sox, and why the team will be cautious with him over the next few days.
Boston Red Sox
Francona said Ellsbury -- who admitted "it feels like I got hit" -- will be reevaulated Saturday before a decision is made on whether he'll return to the lineup.
It all depends on how he feels," said Lowrie, "but if he feels good then hes going to play. I can promise you that.
Joe Haggerty can be reached at jhaggerty@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Joe on Twitter at http:twitter.comHackswithHaggs