CHICAGO — Jacoby Ellsbury seemed to have a strong sense of opening day expectation as he spoke before the Yankees began a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.
And why not? Ellsbury, a 33-year-old outfielder, had been out of action since he sustained a concussion when he crashed into the center-field wall at Yankee Stadium on May 24 against the Kansas City Royals.
He found ways to contribute in his first game back, singling during a three-run fourth inning and scoring twice. Paced by the steady pitching performance of Jordan Montgomery — who struck out eight and allowed just five hits — the Yankees stopped the White Sox, 6-5, at Guaranteed Rate Field.