Jacoby Ellsbury's knee injury lands him on DL

New York Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury left Tuesday night's game against the Washington Nationals due to a right knee injury and will head to the 15-day disabled list.

In a counter move, the Yankees called up 24-year-old Slade Heathcott from Triple-A. Heathcott has hit .280 this season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

It is unknown how long this injury will keep Ellsbury, who has a history of injuries, sidelined. Without Ellsbury on top of the lineup, Chris Young looks to be the replacement in center field. However, the Yankees may use Young in a platoon with Heathcott as Young has tortured left handed pitching. Heathcott is the logical replacement for the Yankees center fielder.

During his fourth inning at-bat against Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez, Ellsbury was seen wincing after swinging at a pitch. Ellsbury eventually walked later in the at bat.

After running to second base on a groundout by Brett Gardner, manager Joe Girardi and assistant athletic trainer Mark Littlefield came on the field to check on their lead-off hitter after he made a gesture signaling that his lower right leg was bothering him.

The 31-year-old was able to stay in the game and later score in the inning. As the Yankees were set to bat around in the inning, Carlos Beltran was on-deck to replace Ellsbury in case his spot in the order came up again. Beltran would enter the game in the bottom half of the inning in right field, as Young moved from right field to center field.

The Yankees announced to the media a few minutes later that Ellsbury left the game due to a right knee injury.

In 36 games this season, Ellsbury has posted a slash line of .327/.411/.374. As Ellsbury is a vital part of the Yankees' everyday lineup, the club hopes that this injury isn't a serious one.