NEW YORK _ The news on Saturday regarding Edwin Encarnacion's ankle wasn't as gruesome as the video appeared to be from Friday night.
Encarnacion appeared to badly turn his ankle in the first inning of the Indians' thrilling 9-8 win over the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. He walked off the field with the help of trainers and left the game.
It was initially ruled a sprained ankle. Indians manager Terry Francona told reporters in New York on Saturday that Encarnacion's ankle was doing much better, and that he hadn't yet been ruled out of Sunday night's Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, at least as a pinch-hitter.
"I don't know if remarkably better is a good word, but pretty close," Francona said, adding that Encarnacion was on crutches. "He's doing much better today. I don't think he's going to start (Sunday), but he's not been ruled out either. So we'll take our time and allow to him continue to get treatment. But if he's that close to being available, that's a really good sign."
The likely scenario is that if Encarnacion can get into the game, it will be as a pinch-hitter and that Michael Brantley will start as the designated hitter. Francona had said on Friday that Brantley could potentially start the game in left field. If Encarnacion can't go, it would make it easier to get Brantley into the lineup.
"It's kind of an easy one," Francona said. "If Edwin doesn't play, (Brantley) walks into the DH spot. That's easy. As far as the lineup goes, I don't know yet. I mean, one, we've got to check on Edwin. And then we'll put it together."
