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Valentine tried to temper the situation by saying the wrist is not a big issue and that Crawford was taken out for precautionary reasons so the “minor issue” would not become a major issue.
Crawford seemed annoyed that his manager volunteered the news to the media. “He did?’’ said Crawford. “What did he say?”
When told what Valentine said, Crawford acknowledged, “Yes, it was a little sore today.”
Asked whether it was a concern, Crawford said, “Maybe it’s a concern to him since he brought it up to you guys.”
Crawford had wrist surgery last winter and a setback in spring training, but had pretty much recovered and may have come close to starting the season on time before elbow problems flared up. He wasn’t activated until July 16.
“You know, it is what it is. I’ve been playing with pain [mostly in the elbow] the whole time,’’ said Crawford. “It’s one of those things where [the wrist] was a little more sore than other days today. Yeah, today was the first day I had wrist issues.’’
Globe: Bittersweet news on Crawford
Jeez, neither Crawford nor Valentine can catch a break. Crawford just wants to play baseball and is willing to go through living with constant pain in his elbow just to do that. It's bad enough that he has to do this four game routine and coming out of games early. Now his wrist is bugging him again. I'm sure he didn't want people to know just so people don't have to freak out even more.
Which brings us to Bobby V. He realized bringing up Crawford's wrist soreness was a bad idea immediately and tried to downplay the comments almost right away. Whether it was a true slip of the tongue or that he couldn't help himself and let the media know is moot at this point. Everyone will be focused in on Crawford's health even more and with a majority of group willing to throw in the towel on this season, more and more people will be asking to shut down Crawford to have him ready for 2013.
Now that the info is out, hopefully it really is just some soreness. If Crawford does miss some games because of the wrist, it's just another cruel twist to this season. Having three of the most likeable guys in Crawford, Ortiz, & Middlebrooks? Brutal.
Rest of the Links: Globe: Easy win brings relief | Middlebrooks likely out for year | Herald: Lester throws a curve | Sox batter Indians | Ortiz rides out pain | CSNNE: That's the right result | Crawford swinging hot stick despite pain | Ortiz: "Achilles hasn't been healing like we we're expecting' | WEEI: A much needed laugher | Middlebrooks not expected back in 2012
