Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Carl Crawford knows how this story ends.
Given the condition of his left elbow, especially after a platelet-rich plasma injection in late April didn’t spur significant improvement, the left fielder conceded he has been told by doctors that, eventually, he likely will need Tommy John surgery to repair a damaged ulnar collateral ligament.
“Probably at some point it’s going to blow out on me,” Crawford said yesterday. “It’s one of those deals where it is what it is.”
So why wait?
“Thought about it,” Crawford said, “but at this point, if I can play, I think (the Red Sox) want me out on the field. I’m just trying to do everything I can to get back out on the field. Right now, I feel like if I couldn’t help the team I wouldn’t get out there.”
Herald: Crawford: Surgery can wait
After all of the injuries that have plagued Crawford, this one is the worst to hear about. His elbow will blow out. Don't know when it'll happen but when it does, it will be another painful surgery and rehab process to get back on the field. He just can't catch a break.
He should get some credit for playing through in order to get back to the Sox. He's someone that "gets it", someone that's willing to do whatever it takes for the team. Considering all the crap that is spewed about this team "not giving a damn", he certainly does AND he's one of the highest paid players on the team. That certainly says a lot about his character and is someone who you want to have in the clubhouse.
Now how effective will he be? Depends on how much he can handle the pain. Albert Pujols has had similar damage to his ulnar collateral ligament since 2003 and he's been doing A-OK. But Albert Pujols is a machine and impervious to any pain whatsoever so maybe not the best comparison but you get where I'm going with this. Crawford has gone this far with the nagging elbow, I think he'll be fine once he gets back up.
Rest of the Links: Globe: Sox head into all star break with another loss | For Red Sox, trouble showed up early | Future is bright for young Red Sox| Herald: Bronx bombers feel no remorse | Lester's woes continue | Buchholz rested, ready | Crawford: Surgery can wait | Sox off to take much needed break | CSNNE: Sox at a loss | Ortiz has answer for first half woes: injuries | Valentine surprised Gonzalez's illness got the best of him | WEEI: [Expletive] first half ends for Lester | Ortiz: "It can't get no worse" | Lester: "It's obviously not good" | Six man rotation out of break