Remember Jacoby Ellsbury? It's hard for some fans to fathom Ellsbury still being on the Yankees given the outfielder log jam that currently exists.

But the 34-year-old has been constantly working to make a comeback this season. He was on the DL at the start of the year with a right oblique strain, but subsequent injuries would follow including a hip issue, plantar fasciitis, and an issue with the sacroilias joint in his back.

In no stretch of the imagination has it been easy for the veteran Ellsbury, but he is sticking to the goal of returning to the Yankees.

"That's still the plan," he told Newsday's Erik Boland on Monday.

It's hard for Ellsbury to watch the Yankees each night, given his dedication to his craft. Though the team is enjoying a great start to the season, Ellsbury would much rather be celebrating on the field instead of the couch watching through a TV.

"You try to say that you're hopeful," Ellsbury said. "You come in, get your work in and do everything you can to play this season. I want to play. It's tough watching the guys play on TV, I'm watching every night. You want to be a part of the mix. It's a fun group. Team's playing well and you want to be a part of that."

Being a part of that seems miles away for Ellsbury, who hasn't done any sort of baseball activity yet. He has been limited to training in the weight room only.

"We're making some gains," Ellsbury said. "Still have a ways to go before we do some baseball stuff, but I'm progressing."

Ellsbury not playing at all this season is wasting a lot of money for the Yankees. He is currently in the fifth season of his seven-year, $153 million deal with the Yankees. The club has looked at options in the past to get rid of Ellsbury's contract, given their depth in the outfield and his inability to stay healthy, but nothing has come out of it.

For now, Ellsbury will continue to work hard as he hopes to don the pinstripes at some point in the future.

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