PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Carl Crawford expects to play about six innings in left field for the Pawtucket Red Sox on Friday night as he works his way back from the disabled list.
The Boston Red Sox left fielder, who has been on the DL since he strained his hamstring June 17, is scheduled to play two games in Pawtucket on a minor league rehab assignment before he joins the big league club in Baltimore on Monday. He is penciled into the No. 3 spot in the PawSox batting order.
Crawford, 29, said he will not be overly cautious in the field or on the basepaths.
"I'm just going to try to play like I always play, be real aggressive and see how it feels," Crawford said in the dugout at McCoy Stadium prior to the game.
Crawford has made just one other DL stint in his career, for a broken finger in 2008. The injury to his legs — an important tool in his game — concerned him when it happened.
His ability to move in the outfield and run naturally on the bases will be watched closely during his rehab assignment.
"My legs are a big part of my game, and I definitely want to make sure that everything's well taken care of," Crawford said. "I was a little worried, but now I feel better about it."
Although there is no way for him to stay completely sharp on the DL, Crawford said he has been taking swings to hopefully keep his timing against big league pitching. He said he has felt no discomfort swinging in the cage.
