Indians' Edwin Encarnacion day-to-day after ugly ankle injury in ALDS Game 2

CLEVELAND - Cleveland Indians designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion suffered a potentially severe injury to his right ankle to end the first inning of Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees on Friday afternoon at Progressive Field.

Encarnacion was on second base with one out when Jay Bruce hit a line drive to shortstop Didi Gregorius. While unsuccessfully sliding back into second base before Gregorius stepped on the bag to complete an unassisted double play, Encarnacion twisted the ankle.

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Encarnacion was helped the off the field with the score tied 2-2.

Encarnacion underwent an MRI and no structural damage was found. However, manager Terry Francona said after the Indians' 9-8, 13-inning victory that it was too early to determine how much time Encarnacion might miss.

“Right now, they say he’s day-to-day, which if that’s the case, is tremendous,” Francona said. “We’ll see how he shows tomorrow. We obviously don’t want to rush in putting him on (the disabled list). So, we’ll see how he does.”

If the Indians would place Encarnacion on the DL during the ALDS, he would be ineligible for play if Cleveland advanced to the American League Championship Series. However, he could be activated for the World Series.

After being signed to a three-year, $60-million as a free agent in the offseason, the 34-year-old Encarnacion has a fine first season with Cleveland. He hit 38 home runs and had 107 RBIs while hitting .258 in 157 games.

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