Report: Yankees plan to withhold Ellsbury's $26M salary

The New York Yankees intend to withhold Jacoby Ellsbury's $26-million salary for the 2020 season after releasing the outfielder earlier this week, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Once the Yankees follow through with their plan, Ellsbury would file a grievance with the league to recover the money that he is still owed from his seven-year, $153-million contract. George A. King III of the New York Post initially reported it was the Yankees who would file a grievance against the outfielder.

"The (Major League Baseball) Players Association will vigorously defend any action taken against Jacoby or his contract and is investigating potential contract violations by his employer," the MLBPA said Friday in a statement obtained by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

The Yankees will withhold the money because Ellsbury apparently used an outside facility during his rehabilitation from multiple injuries that have kept the 36-year-old off the field since 2017.

"Any treatment a player receives for a work-related injury by a health care provider who is not affiliated with the club must be authorized by the club in advance of the treatment in accordance with Regulation 2 of the Uniform Player's Contract," the collective bargaining agreement states, according to Rosenthal.

The former All-Star said he's working toward being ready to play in 2020, according to Heyman.

Since signing his seven-year deal prior to the 2014 season, Ellsbury has appeared in 520 games, hitting .264/.330/.386 with 39 homers and 102 stolen bases.

Ellsbury was initially placed on the injured list with a concussion in May 2017. He then suffered multiple other injuries, including a right oblique strain and a left hip injury, the latter of which required surgery.