KANSAS CITYBobby Valentine offered some updates on the health of a number of injured Red Sox players.
Kevin Youkilis (lower back): "He's doing much better today."
Reading from a staff medical report, Valentine noted: "Possible initiation of baseball activity upon team returning on Thursday."
Carl Crawford (elbow): "He's feeling real close to swinging. He's almost ready to start swinging again."
Crawford was due to be examined by doctors this week, but has been out of town for the past few days, according to Valentine.
"Carl's going to meet us Thursday in Boston," said Valentine. "The checkup probably hasn't happened, is my guess."