BOSTON -- A dark cloud enveloped Fenway Park on a bright, sunny afternoon Friday when Jacoby Ellsbury was forced from the Red Sox' Opening Day game after suffering a right shoulder injury.
Ellsbury, who was on first base in the bottom of the fourth inning after having singled home Kelly Shoppach and given the Sox a 4-1 lead, broke for second base on a pitch that Dustin Pedroia hit sharply to Tampa Bay shortstop Reid Brignac just to the left of the second-base bag. Ellsbury slid into Brignac just as Brignac fired to first to complete the double play, upending him. Brignac fell onto Ellsbury's right shoulder.
Ellsbury was on the ground for several minutes. When he finally got to his feet, he was holding his right arm close to his body and walked off the field with the arm immobilized.
Cody Ross, who had been playing right field, moved to center and Ryan Sweeney took over in right.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Red Sox announced vaguely that Ellsbury had suffered "a right shoulder injury" and would be "evaluated further".
More to come . . .
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.