BOSTON -- With Carl Crawford set to have Tommy John surgery on Thursday, Daniel Nava was activated from the disabled list (where he had been since July 29 with a left wrist sprain) today. He will serve as the designated hitter in the series opener against the Angels with Scott Podsednik batting ninth and playing left field.
I guess I see it like when Carl was out prior, manager Bobby Valentine said. Luckily Daniel Nava was just about finished with his rehab and we have Daniel, we have Scott Podsednik who is playing there tonight and I think theyll do just fine. Theyre good players.
Well miss Carl. Im really happy that Carl got the games in that he got in and Im really happy that he had the success that he had. I think that Carl now can feel that at least he showed the fans in a small way but in an everyday way that hes a very good player and I think he needed to do that.
Valentine said if Crawford having the surgery earlier this season means hes back sooner next season, it could be worth the trade-off.
I guess if that happens to be the case later, he said. That wasnt part of the plan. But if thats what it is, yeah its a good tradeoff.