After a miserable 2011 season by his standards, Carl Crawford isn’t getting off to the hottest of starts in 2012 and the season hasn’t even begun yet.
During a conference call with reporters on Tuesday afternoon, Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington announced that the left fielder underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left wrist. It’s not known yet whether or not he’ll be ready for Opening Day 2012.
Here’s what Cherington had to say:
“We’re not going to put a timeline on his recovery, but we’re optimistic Carl will be progressing in baseball activities as we get into spring training.”
In his first season with the Red Sox after signing a huge free agent contract (seven years, $142 million), Crawford hit just .255 with 11 home runs, 56 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Other than when he was called up by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2002 where he hit .259 in 63 games, the lowest Crawford hit in his nine years with the Rays was .273.
As of right now, the only sure thing in the outfield will be Jacoby Ellsbury. After that, Ryan Sweeney and Darnell McDonald are your other outfielders. Mike Aviles could also play the outfield as well.
Hopefully Crawford is a quick healer and we won’t have to worry about who’ll be playing the outfield when the season gets underway in April.
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
Photo credit: Reuters Pictures
