by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (6/6/2013) Dodgers left fielder Carl Crawford won't return from the disabled list after the minimum 15 days, the Los Angels Times reports. Crawford's hamstring injury is "fairly significant," manager Don Mattingly said.
Crawford was removed from Sunday's game with a hamstring cramp and was placed on the disabled list the following day with a hamstring strain.
No timetable for Carl Crawford
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (6/5/2013) Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told MLB.com Tuesday that outfielder Carl Crawford will need to play a few rehab games before he is reinstated from the disabled list.
Crawford has been sidelined since June 1 with a left hamstring strain. He is currently rehabbing with the club, though the Dodgers have no timetable for his return.
Carl Crawford placed on 15-day disabled list
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (6/3/2013) The Dodgers placed left fielder Carl Crawford on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a hamstring strain, the Orange County Register reports. Stephen Fife takes Crawford's 25-man roster spot and will start Monday against the Padres.
Crawford left Saturday's game with an injury to his left hamstring and didn't play Sunday with what was called a hamstring cramp. He has hit .301/.358/.470 with five home runs, 13 RBI, 32 runs and nine stolen bases in 183 at-bats.
Carl Crawford out Sunday due to hamstring injury
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (6/2/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford is out Sunday with a hamstring injury, the club announced. Crawford was removed from Sunday's game with a left hamstring cramp. The injury isn't expected to be serious, but hamstring injuries can have a tendency to linger. Consider him day to day.
Carl Crawford leaves with hamstring issue
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (6/1/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford left Saturday's game against the Rockies in the third inning after he appeared to injure his left hamstring while rounding into second base after hitting a double.
Crawford was 2 for 2 with two doubles before exiting.
Crawford missed time earlier in the season with a hamstring injury, but it was to his right leg. He will likely be evaluated after the game to determine the extent of the injury.
Carl Crawford dealing with soreness
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/31/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford was given a day off Friday night against the Rockies.
Crawford, who is a .056 (1 for 18) lifetime hitter against Friday's starter Jon Garland, told reporters he could have played despite dealing with soreness after colliding into the left field wall while making a sliding catch Thursday. Crawford would not specify what part of his body was in pain.
"Pretty much my whole body," Crawford told The Los Angeles Times. "I mean, something like that it’s not just one spot. You run into a wall, so you’re pretty much going to have aches and pains all over."
Carl Crawford draws start at DH
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/29/2013) The Dodgers have given left fielder Carl Crawford designated hitter duties for Wednesday's game in Anaheim against the Angels and Jered Weaver.
Scott Van Slyke gets the call in left field, hitting sixth.
Carl Crawford knocks in two, steals a base
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (5/22/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford went 2 for 4 in Wednesday's win over Milwaukee.
Crawford's hits were both singles but he still managed two runs scored and two RBI to go with a walk and a stolen base. His batting average is back above .300 to .302 as he continues to thrive atop the Dodgers' lineup.
Carl Crawford rests hamstring
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/15/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford was left out of the lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the Nationals as the club continues to be cautious with his right hamstring injury, MLB.com reports. He is expected to return to the lineup after Thursday's off-day.
Crawford is batting .318 in May with one homer, three RBI and four stolen bases.
Is Carl Crawford 'back?'
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (5/14/2013) In a recent Twitter exchange, I advised one of my followers to trade Carl Crawford and Kyle Lohse for David Price, suggesting he'd be getting an ace in return for spare parts. And in doing so, I created controversy.
"Spare parts?" others chimed in. "How is Crawford a spare part?" The way I see it, anyone who isn't a mainstay is a spare part. So then, is the Dodgers outfielder back to being a mainstay?
The numbers say he is. He's hitting well over .300, stealing bases and showing more power than ever before. But he's also been sitting off and on with a hamstring injury. Is it one of those things that pops up for every player from time to time or a sign that Crawford's body still makes him untrustworthy?
I guess including him under the umbrella of "spare parts" is unfair, knowing what he can do if he stays healthy, but I still don't trust him entirely, ranking him 35th among outfielders.
Carl Crawford productive since return
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (5/13/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford turned in another productive day at the plate Sunday against the Marlins. Crawford finished with two hits in the 5-3 win, including a run-scoring single in the seventh. He also singled in the first and finished 2 for 4 with an RBI and run scored.
Crawford is batting .429 (6 for 14) with two RBI since his return to the lineup Friday.
Carl Crawford records three hits in return
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford returned to the starting lineup Friday night against Miami.
Crawford, who sat out Wednesday's game with a hamstring injury, finished 3 for 5 with a run scored and stole his seventh base of the season in a 5-4 defeat. He is hitting .314/.377/.500 with five homers and eight RBI.
Carl Crawford ready to roll
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/10/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford, who sat out Wednesday's game with a hamstring injury, returned to the starting lineup Friday night against the Marlins.
Crawford is hitting .310 with three home runs and four RBI in his last eight games payed (six starts). He is hitting .301 with five homers and eight RBI through his first 113 at-bats.
Carl Crawford still dealing with hamstring issue
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford was left out of the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Diamondbacks. Manager Don Mattingly told the Los Angeles Times that Crawford has a hamstring that's "a little bit tight."
The 31-year-old has been dealing with this issue for the last week or so.
Crawford has hit in seven straight games and is batting .321 (9 for 28) with three homers, four RBI and two stolen bases during that span.
Carl Crawford starting to rack up home runs
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/7/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford extended his hitting streak to six games Monday against the Giants with a solo home run. Crawford is batting .348 (8 for 23) with three home runs, four RBI and two stolen bases in his last six games.
Crawford has four home runs in his last nine games, sending his season total to five. He's raised his slugging percentage to .514 through 29 games.
Carl Crawford back in action
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford turned in a solid night at the plate Saturday night against the Giants.
Crawford, who was sidelined his last three games with a hamstring injury, singled in the third and reached on an infield single in the fifth. He also drove in a run on a fielder's choice and finished 2 for 6 with a run scored and an RBI in a 10-9 defeat.
Crawford has recorded a hit in six of his last seven games. He is hitting .316/.391/.510 with four homers and seven RBI in 98 at-bats.
Carl Crawford back in starting lineup
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/4/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford, who missed his last three games with a hamstring injury, returned to the starting lineup Saturday night at San Francisco.
Crawford hit .316 with three homers and four RBI in his last five games before getting hurt. He has yet to face Saturday's starter, Ryan Vogelsong, in his career.
Carl Crawford still not ready to return
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/3/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford (hamstring) was not in the starting lineup Friday. He has missed his last three games with the injury.
The Dodgers are expected to take a cautious approach with Crawford's injury, which may put his status for this weekend's series against the Giants up in the air. Crawford was hitting .316/.381/.789 (6 for 19) with three home runs and four RBI in his last five games before getting hurt.
Carl Crawford could miss more time
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told MLB.com that outfielder Carl Crawford did not work out before Wednesday's contest against the Rockies. A day after being scratched for precautionary reasons, the 31-year-old did not show much improvement in his injured right hamstring.
"That's not something that we can play around with," Mattingly said. "We've got to be careful with him."
Mattingly added that he did not know if Crawford would be able to return by Friday's series opener against the Giants.
"We'll see where we are Friday," Mattingly said. "Obviously, we're not going to push him. We're going to make sure he's ready to go when he goes back out there."
Carl Crawford sits out again for Dodgers
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford was out of the lineup for the second straight game on Wednesday against the Rockies. He was held out Tuesday night due to tightness in his right hamstring.
Skip Schumaker replaced him in left field.
Crawford is batting .308 on the year with four homers, six RBI and four stolen bases.
Carl Crawford scratched as a precaution
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/30/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford was scratched from Tuesday's game against the Rockies as a precautionary reason due to tightness in his right hamstring. Jerry Hairston manned left field in his absence.
Crawford is batting .200 (6 for 30) in the previous nine contests with three homers, four RBI and a stolen base.
Carl Crawford making himself at home
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/29/2013) Despite never playing at Dodger Stadium before in his 11-year career, outfielder Carl Crawford continues to shine at Chavez Ravine. Crawford went deep twice against Milwaukee Sunday, giving him three of his four homers this season at home.
The 31-year-old's splits have been quite pronounced through his first 24 games with the Dodgers as he is hitting .391 with four stolen bases compared to just .214 with no steals on the road.
"I don’t know," he told the Los Angeles Times. "I really don’t have an answer. I like hitting here. ... I just picked [Sunday] to try to be aggressive with the first pitch."
Carl Crawford goes deep twice in series finale
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/28/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford unleashed two solo home runs that proved to be the difference against the Brewers Sunday afternoon.
Crawford got things going early on as he took starter Kyle Lohse deep on the first pitch of the game. He belted another solo shot off Lohse in the fifth. He finished 2 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBI in a 2-0 victory.
It was his sixth multi-home run game in the majors and first since July 8, 2010 as a member of the Rays.
After going 3 for 24 from April 16 to April 24, Crawford has gone 5 for 16 (.313) with three home runs and four RBI in his last four games. He is hitting .307/.390/.523 with four home runs and six RBI in 88 at-bats.
Carl Crawford out of Wednesday's lineup
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (4/24/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford is out of Wednesday's lineup against the Mets, the club announced.
Crawford is 0 for his last 14 and has played in all 19 of the Dodgers' games so far, so he gets a well-timed day off. He's hitting .314/.400/.457 in 70 at-bats despite the slump.
Carl Crawford given green light to throw
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/17/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford has been cleared to throw past his cutoff man as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery, MLB.com reports.
The injury has not hindered his hitting ability as the 31-year-old entered Tuesday's contest against the Padres batting .396 (19 for 48) with one homer, two RBI and two stolen bases. He has also scored 12 runs through 13 games.
"I'm glad to hear that, actually, because I think as much as anything, he's been throwing the ball pretty good," manager Don Mattingly said. "I just don't think he's been feeling like he should be letting it go. So when the trainers tell him it's OK, I think it makes you feel better as a player. You can turn it loose."
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/16/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford tied a season-high with three hits Monday against the Padres. It was the second time in 13 games Crawford had a three-hit performance.
Crawford also managed just his second RBI Monday. He's batting .396 with a .442 on-base percentage, .563 slugging percentage and 1.005 OPS. Crawford has one home run, one triple, three doubles and two stolen bases.
Carl Crawford given the day off
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/12/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford was not in the starting lineup Friday against the Diamondbacks for the second time in 10 games this season.
Jerry Hairston came off the bench to replace Crawford in left field. Crawford is batting .424/.486/.636 with a home run and an RBI through his first 33 at-bats.
Carl Crawford approaching full speed
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/12/2013) While he has carved a spot among the NL leaders with a sterling .424 batting average, Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford has only played a full game four times in the eight contests he's started as his throwing arm improves to 100 percent. However, his removal for defensive replacements late in games could come to an end soon.
"We're getting to that point where he's going to be ready to go full-bore," manager Don Mattingly told the Los Angeles Times. "He's not a guy that I really want to take out, obviously."
Carl Crawford just wants 'to play'
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/11/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford is off to a great start in 2013 following a couple of turbulent and injury-plagued seasons. However, he's adamant it's not about trying to prove anything.
"I just want to play baseball," said Crawford, who is coming off Tommy John surgery last year. "That's all I want to do, man. I'm not trying to prove nothing to me, you, Boston, whoever. I just want to play good baseball this year."
Crawford is certainly doing that. He's batting .464 (13 for 28) with a .531 on-base percentage, .714 slugging percentage and 1.246 OPS in eight games.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly is impressed.
"I've seen how good Carl has been in the past and the last two years have been spotty as far as injuries and things like that, but I think we pretty much knew what he could do," Mattingly said.
Carl Crawford begins game with long ball
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/11/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford hit his first home run on Wednesday night against the Padres.
He led off the contest with a solo shot off starter Eric Stults and finished 2 for 4 with a walk and a pair of runs scored in a 4-3 win.
Crawford also tripled in the fifth inning.
The 31-year-old has collected at least one hit in four straight games and is 7 for 15 (.467) during that span.
Carl Crawford not slowing down
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/7/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford recorded his fourth multi-hit performance on Sunday against the Pirates. He went 2 for 4 with a pair of runs scored in a 6-2 win.
The 31-year-old led off the third inning with a double before singling in the fifth.
Crawford, who was limited to 28 at-bats this spring, is batting .450 (9 for 20) through six games with five runs scored and two stolen bases.
Carl Crawford only bright spot for Dodgers at plate
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/4/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford has been one of the bright spots in Los Angeles' sluggish start at the plate. Crawford has racked up a pair of multi-hit performances this season and is batting .556 (5 of 9) while the rest of the team is hitting .134 through the first three games of the season.
“He’s starting off the season great, the way we wanted him to,” outfielder Matt Kemp told the Los Angeles Times Thursday. “If he continues to do that and everybody does their job ... I think me, Gonzo, (Luis) Cruz, we all need to get going. Andre (Ethier) and CC have been doing a great job, Mark’s been doing a great job. We just have to get those hits.”
The 31-year-old has only started in two of the team's first three games this season.
Carl Crawford racking up hits
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/4/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford produced his second multi-hit performance of the young season on Wednesday night against the Giants. He went 3 for 4 with a walk and a run scored in the 5-3 loss.
Crawford led off the first with a single and came around to score on a passed ball. He added two more base hits to bring his average to .556.
The 31-year-old did not start Tuesday's contest against a left-hander but came on late and went 0 for 1.
Carl Crawford sits against lefty
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/2/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford, who went 2 for 4 with a double and run scored in Monday's season opener against the Giants, was out of the lineup Tuesday.
Los Angeles skipper Don Mattingly wanted to get Crawford out of the lineup for the second game of the season in an attempt to "wean him in," the Los Angeles Times reports.
Mattingly said Crawford would have been sitting even if the Giants weren't starting left-handed pitcher Madison Bumgarner. Jerry Hairston is getting the start in left field, but Mattingly reiterated that there is no platoon between Crawford and Hairston.
Carl Crawford a 'catalyst' for Dodgers
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/2/2013) Dodgers infielder Nick Punto, who played with Carl Crawford in Boston, said Crawford's performance on opening day against the Giants was vintage Crawford.
"That's the Carl Crawford … that frustrates the heck out of defenses and teams," he said, per The Los Angeles Times. "If we can have that catalyst at the top of the lineup, that's going be a huge lift for us."
Center fielder Matt Kemp agrees with Punto's assessment.
"He's going to be big for us this year as our leadoff hitter," Kemp said. "If he gets on base, he's going to be dangerous because he can steal some bases and do a lot of great things on the basepaths."
Crawford's has had trouble staying healthy the last few years, but the veteran outfielder feels those days are behind him.
"I definitely feel better about the way my body feels. I feel a lot healthier than I've felt in the last two years," he said. "I like my chances right now."
Carl Crawford makes Dodgers debut
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/1/2013)Carl Crawford played in his first major-league game since Aug. 19, 2012 and made his Dodgers debut in Monday's season opener against the Giants.
Crawford, who had been recovering from Tommy John surgery, went 2 for 4 with a run scored in the 4-0 win. He reached on an infield single in his first at-bat but was caught stealing. The 31-year-old added a double in the eighth inning.
Carl Crawford erases doubt at plate
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/31/2013) An early setback this spring during his prolonged recovery from Tommy John surgery seemed to compromise Carl Crawford's status for the start of the season. However, the Dodgers outfielder rapidly progressed and appears locked in at the plate heading into his starting assignment in left field for opening day.
Crawford hit safely in seven of his nine games when he received multiple at-bats and finished the exhibition season with a solid .357 batting average. One of those hits was a home run, a symbol he has regained most, if not all, of the strength back in his left arm.
"I think his timing is pretty good at the plate," manager Don Mattingly told MLB.com. "It's just a matter of continuing to build a guy who is coming off Tommy John. It's not bothering his hitting; he can hit and do all those things."
Faith in Carl Crawford pays off
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/29/2013) With Carl Crawford set to start for the Dodgers on opening day, those drafters who took a leap of faith during his early-spring injury setbacks are about to be paid off handsomely.
Crawford, 31, is hitting .348 with a homer and a steal in 23 at-bats this spring.
More importantly, Crawford will be in a comfort zone with the Dodgers, instead of having to adjust his approach playing half his games in Fenway. Going into his debut season with Boston, Crawford was hitting .299 with 13 home runs and 50 steals over eight seasons. In two disastrous campaigns with the Red Sox, Crawford stole a total of 23 in 161 games. A player doesn't lose a skill, but he can be severely limited by a new approach and injury.
Kudos to drafters who ignored both his two seasons in Boston and the little red injury box next to Crawford's name on the site, and drafted him anyway. A 13th-round pick in drafts this year, Crawford could return sixth-round value in a healthy campaign.
Carl Crawford to play opening day
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/29/2013) After alluding to the scenario for most of the spring, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly confirmed Thursday that Carl Crawford would start in left field on opening day. Crawford experience a slight setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery earlier this month, but has played in the team's past five Cactus League games, including the last four in the outfield.
"He's not going to be as good a thrower as he will be in a month from now, but he's proven he can play daily," Mattingly told reporters.
Crawford has tallied a hit in each of his past four games to raise his batting average to .348 during the spring.
Carl Crawford keeps hitting
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (3/29/2013) Dodgers left fielder Carl Crawford recorded a single and two RBI in his four at-bats against the Dodgers' Class A Advanced affiliate Thursday night. Crawford has hit safely in his last four Cactus League appearances and reached safely in his last seven Cactus League games. His Cactus League line sits at .348/.400/.478 in 23 at-bats.
Carl Crawford's Fantasy value unchanged
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/24/2013) The news of Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford (elbow) being on track for opening day doesn't really change his Fantasy value much. He's still just an injury-risk, middle-round selection.
Every Fantasy owner wants to believe the 31-year-old outfielder will return to the form he had during his tenure with the Rays, but after two straight tumultous seasons and Crawford coming off an injury-marred campaign in 2012, you have to temper expecations and view Crawford in a different light.
Carl Crawford feels good about opening day
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/24/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford was back in left field for the first time in more than seven months Saturday, the Los Angeles Times reports. Crawford believes he'll be ready for opening day after his outing.
"I should be real comfortable out there by April 1," Crawford said after playing three innings in the field and not having a single ball hit his way.
"Normally, when you get in and it's been a while, the ball usually comes right to you," Crawford said, smiling. "But I got lucky today. It was cool. It was real calm out there. It felt good to be back running on grass, just running in and out of the dugout — little things you take for granted."
Crawford, who experienced a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery at the beginning of March, had been restricted to serving as the designated hitter since returning to game action last Sunday. He's gone 4 for 15 (.267) this spring with two RBI and a stolen base.
Carl Crawford primed for outfield work
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/22/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford is scheduled to make his highly anticipated Cactus League debut in left field on Saturday, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Crawford, who experienced a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery at the beginning of March, has been restricted to serving as the designated hitter since returning to game action last Sunday.
Preparing for his first career season in the National League, Crawford is hitting .300 over three games this spring and is expected to be ready for opening day, barring any setbacks.
Yasiel Puig now on 2013 radar
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/20/2013) When I put together my list of the top 50 prospects Fantasy owners should know in early February, I left the Dodgers' Yasiel Puig off the list, and one reader took exception to it. Check out the comments at the bottom.
My reasoning was that Puig, for all his upside, has raised doubts about his conditioning and attitude. Plus, I didn't see him making a real impact in 2013.
If nothing else, that last part has changed.
How could it not given his spring performance? At age 22, he's batting .500 (23 for 46) with three homers and three doubles. The Dodgers say he's not making the team, but there has to be a reason he's still in big-league camp.
With the state of Carl Crawford's elbow still in question, I'm thinking the Dodgers have found their backup plan.
GM thinks Carl Crawford will be ready for opener
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/19/2013) Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday that he believes outfielder Carl Crawford will be ready come opening day. Crawford made his official Cactus League debut Sunday but has yet to play in the outfield. He has gone 3 for 10 with two RBI in three games.
Time to jump on Carl Crawford
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/18/2013) His elbow seems fine. He's playing in games. He's out of Boston. There are a ton of reasons to like Carl Crawford right now, yet his ADP continues to wallow around the 12th round. He's being taken one spot before Marco Scutaro in H2H leagues and one spot below Jim Johnson in Roto formats. That's almost insulting to the former slam-dunk first-round Fantasy pick.
Before the Boston debacle, Crawford had a career .296 average (and even in the mess that was 2012, he still hit .282). He averaged 17 home runs and 54 steals in his final two seasons with the Rays. His hitting coach with the Dodgers, Mark McGwire, took a St. Louis team that was batting .263 in 2009 and had them up to .271 by 2012. Solid lineup, fresh start, underrated hitting coach, and life left in his legs. Crawford may need to shake off some rust early, but we're all guilty of having short memories if he continues to be selected in the 12th round.
Carl Crawford makes Cactus League debut
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (3/17/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford appeared in his first spring training game since 2011 in Sunday's Cactus League contest against the Brewers. Crawford, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, served as DH and went 0 for 3 in the 11-1 loss. Crawford hopes to be ready for the start of the regular season.
Carl Crawford finally makes it into lineup
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/17/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford, who has been sidelined all spring as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery last year, made it into the spring training lineup Sunday. He was slated to DH and bat leadoff against the Brewers.
Carl Crawford moving to game action
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/16/2013) Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Saturday that outfielder Carl Crawford (elbow, forearm) could make his long-awaited Cactus League debut on Sunday, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Crawford, who has endured an arduous recovery from Tommy John surgery, is scheduled to hit in a minor-league game on Saturday.
If he finishes the outing unscathed, he will likely join the Dodgers lineup Sunday for his first appearance with a major-league squad since last August as a member of the Red Sox. Crawford is considered questionable for the start of the regular season.
Carl Crawford bats, begins throwing
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (3/15/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford made his unofficial return to game action Thursday, as he received six at bats against Meiji University of Japan in in exhibition, playing DH or both teams.
Crawford also played catch for the first time since being shut down 13 days ago with nerve irritation in his throwing elbow. Crawford also played catch Friday, as he tries to get ready for full-game action.
Manager Don Mattingly told MLB.com he will consider asking teams to allow the Dodgers to play with a DH during some spring games to get Crawford a few at bats against major-league pitching.
"It's a good step," Mattingly said. "We've talked about it. He needs to get over here."
Crawford was limited to 31 games last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He has yet to play in an official spring game, but remains hopeful that he can be ready to go by the time the season starts.
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/14/2013) MLB.com reports Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford, who has yet to make his spring debut as he was shut down due to elbow nerve irritation, will be the DH in an exhibition game against Meiji University on Thursday.
Crawford takes step forward
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/12/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford, who is recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery and was shut down a few weeks ago, took live batting practice on Tuesday, reports the Los Angeles Times. Crawford faced relievers Kenley Jansen and J.P. Howell and called it a "step in the right direction." Crawford still appears to be behind scheduled in his spring routine. “It’s a little faster,” Crawford said of facing Jansen and Howell. “You have to speed your hands up a little bit more, get ready a little early.”
Crawford to face live pitching
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/12/2013) MLB.com reports Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford will face live pitching Tuesday for the first time since he was shut down due to elbow nerve irritation two weeks ago.
Crawford's rehab inching along
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/10/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford (elbow, forearm) took 75 swings in a batting cage Saturday -- the most since he underwent Tommy John surgery last August -- but there is still no timetable for his return to game action, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. Crawford was shut down March 1 with minor nerve irritation in his elbow and has yet to resume a throwing program. His status for opening day is questionable.
Crawford to resume swinging
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (3/6/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford will be able to resume hitting off a tee Thursday, according to MLB.com. Crawford was shut down for a week last Friday, after another setback in his surgically repaired elbow. It is not clear when he will be able to resume throwing or taking live batting practice, but this is a step in the right direction. The team wants to isolate his throwing and batting activities, so they can determine if any setbacks are caused by a specific action. "If something flares up, we want to know what's causing it," manager Don Mattingly said. "So it will be cautious at first. The biggest thing is we don't want this thing flaring up because we're doing too much too fast, because it can be a longer setback."
Crawford pushed back in rehab
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/1/2013) Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford will be shut down from throwing and hitting for at least the next week after his elbow setback proved to be more serious than originally believed, the Los Angeles Times reports. Crawford was diagnosed with minor nerve irritation on Thursday, a common ailment for players recovering from Tommy John surgery. But the team announced Crawford, who had the procedure last August, will now rest his elbow while taking anti-inflammatory medicine. "There doesn't seem to be any panic," manager Don Mattingly said. "We're still being cautious. I look at this as more of a setback than I did the last couple of days. He can't throw and hit. He can still do work. But this pushes it back a bit." In fact, Crawford is now in jeopardy of missing the team's season opener and beyond.
Crawford hit with minor setback
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/28/2013) MLB.com reports Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford, who has yet to appear in a spring game as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, is now battling forearm tightness. However, it appears to be a minor setback in his recovery from 2012 elbow surgery. Manager Don Mattingly said Crawford might have thrown too much. "It's not uncommon going through this," Mattingly said. "We want to be cautious with Carl. There's plenty of time before opening day. I don't know if it's a setback, but it's a pause. We've had him doing so much and this guy is a working machine. He wants to get out there, but Sue [Falsone, trainer] wants to be cautious. We don't want to push it."
Crawford getting more time
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/27/2013) CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford (elbow) won't make his spring debut Thursday as a DH after all. Crawford is expected to get a couple extra days off before potentially making it into the lineup.
Crawford set to debut Thursday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/25/2013) CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery in August, will play in his first spring game Thursday. However, he will be the DH as he remains on a limited throwing program.
Crawford easing into work as DH
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/22/2013) In keeping with the conservative approach he's shown early this spring, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Friday that outfielder Carl Crawford will be eased into action during Cactus League games as a designated hitter. Crawford is recovering from Tommy John surgery on his left elbow last August and still remains on a limited throwing schedule. "I don't want him in a game and reacting and doing something like spinning to make a throw that we don't want him doing," Mattingly told MLB.com.
Crawford moves to swing state
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/17/2013) Under the careful watch of team coaches and executives, Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford completed his first round of batting practice for the first time since having Tommy John surgery on his left elbow last August. Crawford, who is expected to be ready for opening day, had been confined to hitting in a cage prior to his session Sunday. "For the first day, didn't feel too bad" he told MLB.com. "Maybe it was the group of hitters, but it went better than I expected. It feels normal hitting." As far as throwing -- viewed as the final hurdle before his return -- Crawford remains on a strict program tailored to build arm strength. "Still going slow there," he said. "I have good days and bad days throwing. That part is still a little shaky."
Crawford has no pain in elbow
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/12/2013)The Orange County Register reports Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford, who continues to recover from Tommy John surgery in August, said he is throwing from 60 feet. He said he has also been swinging off a tee and hitting soft toss for about three weeks. He added there is no pain in his elbow.
Report: Crawford set for opener
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/9/2013) Dodgers president Stan Kasten reiterated his belief regarding outfielder Carl Crawford (elbow) and said Saturday the veteran should be fully available for opening day, MLB.com reports. Crawford, who continues to recover from Tommy John surgery he had last August, has been throwing without any reported setbacks for the past week. He is also on track for the start of spring training, which will be his first with Los Angeles.
Dodgers upbeat about Crawford
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (1/15/2013) ESPN reports Dodgers president Stan Kasten said during a radio interview Tuesday outfielder Carl Crawford, who continues to rehab from August elbow surgery, has begun a throwing program. Kasten said Crawford has also lost 10 pounds and is on track to be ready by the season opener. "At no time has he felt he wouldn't be ready for opening day," Kasten said. "That's exactly how we feel."
Crawford cleared to work
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (1/12/2013) MLB.com reported Friday that Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford has been cleared to begin baseball activities, following elbow reconstruction surgery last season. Despite that good news, the team is not yet sure whether Crawford will be ready to take his place in the lineup when the season begins. "He sounds pretty confident," manager Don Mattingly said. "He's been working really hard, but he's had to go slow. In the next 30 days, as he starts doing more baseball stuff, he'll get a better feel for what he can do. He's still in rehab mode. I'm sure he's going to be a little behind [in] throwing."
