Red Sox Rumors: Carl Crawford Expected to Miss Start of Season

The Boston Red Sox have been fairly quiet regarding the progress of outfielder Carl Crawford’s left wrist.  We found out in January that the four-time All-Star required surgery on said wrist, and general manager Ben Cherington was unsure how the procedure would impact Crawford’s spring.  Now, while nothing has been made official by the Red Sox, it’s looking more and more likely that Crawford will not be ready to go when Opening Day 2012 rolls around.

While speaking with Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe yesterday, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said that he expects Crawford to miss “a few weeks” of the regular season due to his left wrist.  Abraham added that, at this point, Crawford “can do everything except hit”.

This isn’t meant to be a slap in the face to Crawford, who struggled through a 2011 campaign in which he only managed a batting average of .255.  Instead, Abraham is pointing out that Crawford isn’t restricted in the field or on the base paths.

Valentine later told Abraham that, after watching film on Crawford, he can tell that the 30-year-old is “special” and that the Red Sox “really need him”.

If Crawford does in fact have to miss the beginning of the season, the Red Sox are likely to use recently signed outfielder Cody Ross in his place.

No one wants to start the season injured, and Crawford will likely be chomping at the bit to get back onto the field and prove he was worth the mega-deal Boston handed him last winter.  What are your expectations of Carl Crawford in 2012?

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