FORT MYERS, Fla. –– A setback has slowed Carl Crawford's bid for a starting spot on Opening Day.
After a few swings on Tuesday, the Red Sox outfielder sensed pain in his left wrist –– the same one that was surgically repaired in early January. He aggravated it more during bunting drills on Wednesday and will be shut down for a few days.
"You're always concerned when you have a setback," Crawford said. "The bunting didn't help it. I'm pretty sure what I've been doing over the course of the week — swinging and bunting and throwing, just doing all the activities — probably didn't make it any better. The bunting, I think, was the final thing that took it over the edge where we had to slow it down."
Before the minor roadblock, Crawford was rapidly progressing. He was taking swings early and often during the first week of spring training to the surprise of manager Bobby Valentine.
That herculean effort may have ultimately hindered him.
"It's just pretty much myself trying to push it a little bit," Crawford said. "Probably shouldn't have done as much as I was doing. It was feeling so good at first, I thought I could just keep going and keep going. Now I know what kind of pace I have to do things at."
Crawford said that he needs as many repetitions as possible to be prepare for Opening Day, but said he's still aiming for that goal.
Shortly before Saturday's doubleheader, Valentine offered an update on Crawford, saying the swelling is down. Valentine also said the outfielder had a nice range of motion and has progressed from the last couple days.
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