After struggling through 2011, Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford underwent wrist surgery in January, which might have been a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your perspective. At the time, it didn't look like Crawford would miss Opening Day. A little later on, it looked like Crawford would miss Opening Day. Then he was cleared to swing, and it looked like Crawford wouldn't miss Opening Day. Now he's had a setback, and it looks like Crawford will miss Opening Day.
Carl Crawford Has Setback In Wrist Surgery Recovery
Crawford will need to rest left wrist five to seven games because of inflammation. Opening day in jeopardy.
— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) March 5, 2012
Crawford was swinging the bat fine for a little while, but then he developed inflammation in his surgically repaired wrist. If you ask him, he thinks he tried to do too much too soon. Scott Lauber:
“Bunting didn’t help it,” he said. “Pretty sure just what I’ve been doing over the course of the week, bunting and swinging and throwing and just doing all the activities probably didn’t make it no better. The bunting, that was the final thing that probably took it over the edge.”
I understand how bunting might have irritated Crawford's wrist, but it's funny to sit back and think that Carl Crawford made his situation worse by trying to bunt. Bunting: it's not harmless no more. In fact, A.J. Burnett sustained his broken facial bone while he was trying to bunt. On the one hand, bunting practice is apparently dangerous. On the other hand, I guess these players need a lot more practice bunting.
Crawford's wrist is getting better, and he should make a full recovery. Should he have to miss the beginning of the regular season, Cody Ross and Ryan Sweeney would flank Jacoby Ellsbury. It sounds kind of significant to say "Crawford's opening day in jeopardy", but the reality is that Crawford could become active shortly thereafter. Opening Day sounds more meaningful than it is.
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