Carl Crawford Eyeing July 18 Return
BOSTON (CBS) - Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford hopes to return from a hamstring injury July 18 when the Red Sox open a three-game series in Baltimore.
"I talked to him today, he's doing real well," Manager Terry Francona said of Crawford, who has been on the disabled list since June 18 with a left hamstring strain.
Francona said it is not set in stone but Crawford will likely get a few games in the minors after the All-Star break, giving him a few at-bats before his return and avoiding the Red Sox three-game series on the turf down in Tampa Bay.
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"I don't know if that's in anybody's best interest," Francona said. "As important as his legs are, I think this is a chance that we really don't mess this up."
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Crawford ran the bases for the first time since the injury on Tuesday.
The big Red Sox free agent signing had struggled to start the season but was heating up before the injury. Crawford had his batting average up to .243 (up from just .155 in April) with six home runs, 31 RBI and eight stolen bases.
