By Maureen Mullen
CSNNE.comFollow @maureenamullen
BOSTONLeft fielder Carl Crawford was pleased with the workout he had early Monday morning at Fenway Park and the progress of his strained left hamstring, which has kept him on the disabled list since June 18. He did a series of 90-feet sprints and plans to progress to running bases Tuesday. After that changing directions and increasing the distance while running will be his next milestone.
But Red Sox manager Terry Francona is unsure if Crawford will be activatedduring this six-game homestand.
He had a really good today and its not an easy day to have a good day, Francona said. We got off the plane at 10:30, 11 p.m. and had a quick turnaround. But he increased the intensity a little bit. He changed the direction. So hell get looked at by team medical director Tom Gill today and the next thing will be base running. So I dont know.
I just told him Ill check with him every day and see how hes doing. Thats kind of where were at. Then he has to do baseball activities but the base running, hes got to go full speed on the bases.
The lengthening out I think is real important. As the muscle fatigues, 100 foot,120, 150 . . . But hes in great shape. This kid . . . hes so in tune with his body. Hell conquer this easily. We just dont want to get in his way.In the meantime Josh Reddick has filled in nicely. He was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket Reddick on June 18, his second call-up this season, and is batting .422 (.333 against righties, .778 against lefties).The one nice thing about Crawfords absence is that Redd had stepped in and basically hit about .440, Francona said. Thats certainly not going to stay that way. But so often how much you miss a guy depends on who has filled in and Redds done an unbelievable job.
Maureen Mullen is on Twitter at http:twitter.commaureenamullen