Almonte is latest Yankee to head to DL
Rookie outfielder sprains left ankle in club's loss to Red Sox
BOSTON -- Rookie outfielder Zoilo Almonte joined the lengthy list of injured Yankees players on Friday, spraining his left ankle after hitting the first-base bag awkwardly on a second-inning double-play ball in New York's 4-2 loss to the Red Sox.
X-rays taken at Fenway Park were negative, but Almonte was wearing a boot and using crutches after the game. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that Almonte will be placed on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday.
"It started hurting right away after the play, but I did try to run on it to see if it would get better," said Almonte, who stayed in the game until the fifth inning.
The Scranton Times-Tribune reported late on Friday that outfielders Melky Mesa and Thomas Neal had both packed their bags and are heading to Boston, suggesting another roster move.
That may involve infielder Alberto Gonzalez, since the Yankees added utilityman Brent Lillibridge to replace Derek Jeter on the active roster Friday.
General manager Brian Cashman said that Almonte's injury will not affect Alex Rodriguez's Minor League rehab plan; Rodriguez is expected to join the big league club on Monday against the Rangers in Arlington.
Almonte is batting .261 (23-for-88) with one home run and nine RBIs in 26 games this season. He'll become the 16th different player to spend time on the Yankees' DL this season, spanning 20 stints.