Injury update: Crawford, Ellsbury, Bailey

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BOSTONLeft fielder Carl Crawford began his 20-day rehab assignment Saturday, serving as the designated hitter for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox in Fort Myers, Crawford went 0-for-3 with a run scored and two walks, one intentional.

Manager Bobby Valentine said Crawford is expected to have an off day Sunday and DH again on Monday. Crawford is expected to begin playing in the field sometime in the next week.

Valentine couldnt say how long Crawford would stay with the low-level minor league team.

When hes ready to move, hell move, Valentine said. We really cant put a timetable on that.

Its more controlled environment. And we want to make sure we control it as well as possible.

Jacoby Ellsbury took batting practice and fielded groundballs in center field from coach Alex Ochoa before Saturdays game against the Braves.

While Ellsbury is progressing, there are still hurdles he needs to clear.

He needs to throw more. He needs to be confident that he can get back to bases, dive, things like that that are shoulder-related and swing more, Valentine said. I know its not his throwing shoulder but it is involved in throwing.

I think hes healthy.

So far, Ellsbury has only been fielding grounders in center field, and not fly balls.

Must be maybe groundballs in the beginning and you have to reach a little more possibly. Valentine said. Maybe he doesnt want to really be reaching up that much with that arm. Thats probably it with the glove on.

Andrew Bailey had a slight setback during his bullpen session yesterday in his recovery from April surgery on his right thumb.

It didnt go perfectly, Valentine said. Were going to let him rest a little before he gets on the mound.

I hate to put a timetable on it. Well see how he progresses.

His arm didnt feel great throwing as much as... we were accelerating his progress a little and we decided to slow it down.

He was a little ahead of schedule throwing off the mound. Went back to the flat. His thumbs fine. Its just how often he throws flat and the mound.

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