Crawford to DL with Strained Hamstring

The Boston Red Sox have placed left fielder Carl Crawford on the 15 day disabled list with a strained hamstring.

Crawford sustained the injury in the first inning of Friday’s contest against the Milwaukee Brewers.  The speedster was able to beat out an infield single, but it came at a great cost for the club.  Crawford quickly pulled up after reaching the bag and was removed from the game soon after.

The Red Sox want to be especially careful with Crawford’s injury, as speed is such an important part of the left fielder’s game.

"“A hamstring injury, you don’t want to mess around with that,’’ Crawford said. “You see a lot of guys who come back too early and they mess it up and they wind up being out even longer.“I just want to make sure that when I come back that I stay there. I definitely don’t want this to be lingering.’’"

This marks only the second time Crawford has been placed on the disabled list, the first coming in 2008 while he was a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.

It appeared Boston’s $142 million dollar man was beginning to show his true value for the Red Sox.  After his horrible April showing, Crawford was able to rebound for a strong May.  His line of .304/.328/.482 last month brought the 29 year old over the Mendoza Line and up to an average of .234.

After a semi-productive June, Crawford will hit the DL with a line of .243/.275/.384.

Boston has recalled Josh Reddick to provide outfield depth for the team.  Manager Terry Francona is set to replace Crawford is his everyday lineup with Darnell McDonald.