Despite Jacoby Ellsbury's ankle injury costing him his place in the starting lineup for the last two games, the New York Yankee outfielder made a brief appearance in Sunday's series finale in Toronto.
Trailing by one run in the top of the ninth inning, Ellsbury pinch-hit for left fielder Zelous Wheeler and doubled off Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen. Representing the tying run, manager Joe Girardi didn't want to risk further injury to Ellsbury and substituted Ichiro Suzuki in as a pinch runner.
A healthy Ellsbury is essential if the Yankees hope to hang on in the American League wild card race, as their 4-3 loss Sunday sees them four games back.
