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Ellsbury suffers high-ankle sprain

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By Ed Eagle / MLB.com

08/28/09 8:19 AM ET

Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury suffered a mild left high-ankle sprain in Thursday's 9-5 loss to the White Sox, and his availability for Friday's series opener against the Blue Jays is uncertain.

Ellsbury, who set a club single-season record with his 55th stolen base Tuesday, was injured during a collision at home plate with White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski in the fifth inning. He was removed from the game and replaced by Rocco Baldelli in the top of the sixth.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona told reporters after the game that injury did not appear to be serious.

"We're certainly going to check with him [Friday]," Francona said. "I don't think it will be anything more than a nagging thing, and I'm glad we took him out. Got some ice on it, got it treated, and I'm hopeful that it'll be fine.''

In addition to his 55 steals, the Boston leadoff man is batting .298 with a .343 on-base percentage and 35 extra-base hits.

Ed Eagle is a reporter and producer for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.