Ellsbury dealing with concussion effects
Yankees hope center fielder can return this weekend
TORONTO -- Jacoby Ellsbury is still dealing with the residual effects of a concussion sustained last week, though the Yankees are hopeful that the outfielder will be activated from the seven-day concussion disabled list during this series against the Blue Jays.
Ellsbury crashed into the center-field fence at Yankee Stadium on May 24, robbing the Royals' Alcides Escobar of an extra-base hit. He initially remained in the game but was removed at the conclusion of the half-inning.
"He just doesn't quite feel like himself," manager Joe Girardi said. "For the most part, the headaches have been cleared up, but his neck is still sore, and he's still working on that."
The Yankees had Ellsbury go through some baseball exercises on Wednesday in Baltimore, and though he traveled with the team to Toronto, Ellsbury has not been cleared to play by a physician.
"We don't feel that he's quite ready," Girardi said. "The thing about this concussion is you really have to rely on the player, when he physically feels like there's nothing going on. He's just not quite ready. His neck is still sore too. Maybe in a couple of days we'll get him back, but not quite yet."
Judge rises
Aaron Judge was the No. 8 hitter in the Yankees' Opening Day lineup, and the rookie slugger has steadily earned promotions over the season's first two months. As the Yankees opened June, Girardi said he was ready to see Judge's power potential in the first inning of a game, batting him third on Thursday against the Blue Jays.
"We've just kind of moved him up slowly," Girardi said. "I think he started seventh as the year began and he hit well. We moved him up to fifth and he's done well. You look at his numbers and they're some of the best numbers on the team. We just felt it was time to move him again."
Girardi said that with Judge, Matthew Holliday and Starlin Castro, the Yankees "feel the lineup is pretty complete." Judge's presence could also impact Gary Sanchez, who continues to bat in the No. 2 spot.
Rest for Romine
Austin Romine sported a baseball-sized welt on his left shin after Wednesday's game at Baltimore, the result of a second-inning foul ball in the Yanks' 10-4 loss to the Orioles. Girardi said Romine is sore but available, and that he expects the backup catcher to start one of the four games against the Blue Jays.
Comeback trail
Closer Albertin Chapman (left rotator cuff inflammation) threw at distances of 90 to 100 feet in the Rogers Centre outfield on Thursday afternoon, making 15 tosses on flat ground. The Yankees are hopeful that Chapman can throw a bullpen session next week.