BOSTONAfter having his ailing left elbow examined earlier this week, left fielder Carl Crawford was in the Red Sox clubhouse before Fridays home opener against the Rays.
I just had to come up here and get my elbow checked, Crawford said. I think it was best to be up here with the doctors for the next few days.
Crawford had surgery on his left wrist in mid-January and has been rehabbing in Fort Myers. He was expected to play in extended spring training games this past week before the elbow flared up. An MRI revealed a strain, he said.
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Its not known when he will get into games now.
Were not putting a timetable on it, said manager Bobby Valentine. Hes going to be able to DH ASAP. Those games down there I even think he could run around in the outfield and hand it off if were worried about him throwing. The guys in charge of the rehab have to take control of that situation.
Crawford said the problem with his elbow came about started a couple of weeks ago and came about over time, rather than on one particular incident. He had been participating in all baseball activities up to that point.
I think it just kind of built up to it, he said. It all started as a little soreness and we tried to push through it and it was just more sore. Eventually it gets to the point where you cant even stand it no more. Thats what happened. Im pretty sure thats how it went down.
Which was frustrating for him, given how close he was to getting into a game.
Yeah, its frustrating because I was looking forward to playing those games that day, he said. I think weve been pushed backa week so just have to wait a little longer. I guess I just got to be patient.
Valentine said Crawford is expected to return to Fort Myers tomorrow.
The silver lining in this setback for Crawford is that he gets to be at Fenway Park for the home opener.
Yeah, Im excited about being here, back with the team, being around the guys, being here for the 100th anniversary, seeing how that goes, feeling that excitement today, he said. So it should be an exciting time for us all today.