Precautionary MRI on Ellsbury's calf comes back clean

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury had a precautionary MRI examination on his sore right calf Thursday, and the results were negative, said manager Joe Girardi.

Ellsbury had been scheduled to take on-field batting practice at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., but he was a no-show for the session. Girardi said that Ellsbury had been sent by the team's trainers for the test.

"Everything is great," Girardi said. "The MRI came back negative, so it's day to day. We want to make sure he's 100 percent before we send him back out there."

Girardi said that although Ellsbury did not complain about any pain, there is some lingering soreness. Ellsbury was scratched from the Yankees' lineup Sunday because of the calf, and he hasn't resumed running.

"I think he feels it a little bit," Girardi said. "That's why we're just being cautious. We want to make sure he's healthy. ... My guess is he'll try to take some BP tomorrow and then we'll go from there. We want him to run before he plays."

Girardi said that he hopes Ellsbury will be able to play this weekend, but if he can't, then on Tuesday against the Phillies. The manager said that he has no concerns about Ellsbury's availability for the Opening Day lineup.

"I'm very confident he'll be ready April 1," Girardi said.