Crawford on DL, Baldelli back

LF Carl Crawford is on the 15-day DL with a right hand injury that he said could sideline him for 6-8 weeks and possibly require season-ending surgery, though the Rays say they don't yet know the severity of the injury or how long he is likely to be out.

"It ain't looking good either way it goes,'' Crawford said this morning.

Rocco Baldelli has been activated for the first time since May 2007 and is starting in rightfield and batting cleanup.

The Rays will use Monday's off-day to discuss further options, with the possibility of recalling Justin Ruggiano or Jonny Gomes from the minors, of using Ben Zobrist in the outfield (once Jason Bartlett returns to shortstop) and/or seeking outside help by trading for a player who cleared waivers.

The Rays are officially calling Crawford's injury "right middle finger tendon subluxation'' and head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield said to was too early to predict how much beyond the 15-day DL period Crawford will be out until he sees team hand specialist Dr. Doug Carlan today in St. Petersburg. "I wouldn't even put a timeframe on it right now until our doctor sees him,'' Porterfield said.

Crawford, who was to fly back to Tampa Sunday afternoon, said he was hurt on his final at-bat Saturday, checking his swing on a 3-1 pitch before a 10th-inning walk.

"I felt my hand pop," Crawford said."I don't really know yet (what's wrong) I just know it's real sore. ... I felt it last night and I thought it was something I could just shake off, but when I got to the outfield and tried to play catch and I knew it was worse.''

Porterfield said Crawford told him after playing the field it "felt like a rubberband snap"  and that his "finger locks."

The problem, Porterfield said, is that the tendon that runs the length of the finger is "out of the groove" and slides over to the side of the third and largest knuckle, which is a sign of damage to the tissue that holds it in place. "More than likely he's disrupted that,'' Porterfield said, "so it's not holding that tendon in the proper grove." Crawford is "point tender" on the spot.  The finger can be manipulated back into place and it feels fine, but as soon as it is flexed the problem reoccurs.

Porterfield stressed that there was no way to predict how long Crawford will be out until further diagnosis, but said in general the problem could be fixed by putting the finger in a split and resting it, or it could have to be repaired surgically, with the tissue reconstructed.

"At this point in time, with our situation, we're going to do whatever we can to get him back on the field as soon as possible,'' Porterfield said. "So whether that's splinting it and trying to let it heal or whether it's intervention at some point in time, I wouldn't even be able to tell you until he sees that specialist.''

Since the injury on his non-throwing hand, the bigger concern is Crawford's ability to grip and swing the bat.

Crawford's absence would be a significant blow to the Rays'  hopes to make the postseason for the first time as he is is one of their top overall players, hitting .273 with 8 homers and 57 RBIs and leading the team with 69 runs.

"Carl's been one of our best clutch hitters recently, specifically, and obviously everything else that he brings, his defense in the outfield, his speed on the bases, his veteranship, all that stuff's going to be missed,'' manager Joe Maddon said.

Baldelli is playing for the first time since May 2007, and shaved his scraggly beard, as he had planned, upon being activated. He has been sidelined since spring training trying to manage a rare muscle fatigue condition and played the field sparingly during his rehab assignments, and no more than five innings at a time.

Maddon said he and Baldelli will communicate to monitor his health. "It's exciting to have him back,'' Maddon said. "He's going to start the game and we'll see where it takes us.'' But he said they won't plan on using Baldelli on an everyday basis in the outfield.

Baldelli said he was told after Saturday's game that he would be activated and in the field, but didn't know all the details. Just do what they tell you, rightAs soon as he arrived Sunday, he said he immediately went to watch video of Mariners' starter R.A. Dickey, who he'd never seen. "We'll see how it goes,'' Baldelli said. "I'll let you after the game.''

Eric Hinske is in leftfield today, and Cliff Floyd is the DH. Gabe Gross will be kept in reserve to potentially replace Baldelli. 3B Evan Longoria and SS Jason Bartlett remain sidelined.

The lineup:

Iwamura, 2b
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Baldelli, rf
Floyd, dh
Zobrist, ss
Hinske, lf
Aybar, 3b
Riggans, c
Jackson, p

(Pictured - Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli. AP photos. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Paul]

CC is a big plus for the Ray's with his speed and defense. But, his inability to get on base this year has really hurt the Ray's ability to score alot of runs. Leading the league in triples is nice, but he is 10th or 11th on the Ray's in on base percentage! Guess who's leading the team in OBP... B.J. Upton at .381! Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you want the player who's leading the team in on base percentage and stolen bases leading off in the order, even if he's hitting .265?

[Jim]

I say good riddance to Crawford.

The hamstring injury (pinch runner, you gotta be kidding) went on forever and now the finger.

He's bent out of shape because he wasn't selected as an all star, and now Baldelli's getting all the press.

His influence on Upton has been striking. As in BJ's comment "I only work here" when benched by Maddon.

BJs' last at bat yesterday was pitiful even though they were up by a big margin.

This "Be Cool" attitude has to stop.

Jim

[Ray F]

We were winning games the last 2 months when Carl was doing terrible.

He's been on fire for 2 weeks and all of a sudden the season is gone without him???

I hope Carl returns quickly, but at the same time, this means Hinske will see more at bats and he (in his limited time) has had as good if not a better season than CC.

We'll be fine. So glad to see Rocco back. I bought my tickets for the 18th to give Rocco a standing "O" in his first at-bat in The Pit.

SELL IT OUT!!!

[Bill]

I could see Crawford coming off the DL when the rosters expand in September to be the 'pinch runner' you talked about. That would be a big advantage late in a game.

[kyle]

Perhaps Andrew should have pulled the trigger on the Nady/Marte for Niemman/Brignac deal and not been such a sissy. It was a done deal.
Crawford is a selfish player whom the coaches are tired of. He told the coaching staff he was taking time off to rest his hamstring. Shouldn't he ask for it?

[Brian Redux]

Brian,

1. The greatest hitter of his generation is as good as a candidate as any to get ready on short notice.
2. We will not have a left fielder that can replace CC, and the difference between Hinske and Bonds isn't all that great as Hinske has an atrocious range factor in left, and believe it or not, Bonds has played near league average in recent years.
3. Reasons #3 and #5 that you cite are basically the same argument written in different ways. If this team can win despite players not running out grounders and others whining to the media when told to play a different position, I trust Maddon will manage the situation just fine.
4. I'd LOVE to have the bases 'clogged' every time Pena and Longoria step to the plate. Much better than having them step to the plate with the bases empty.

[TT]

We will miss Carl's speed in the outfield, because he gets to balls that many LFs don't (he catches a lot of balls in foul ground for outs that would fall with other LFs, giving the batter another chance). On the other hand, we won't miss him throwing to the wrong base once a week or having a ball inexplicably pop off his glove that he got to.

While its true that Carl often delivers hits in the clutch, its also true that he kills a lot of rallies by striking out (especially at balls well out of the zone). And, he does a poor job advancing runners and hits into a lot of DPs considering his speed.

Carl WAS the best player on a bad team in the past, he's not the best player on the team anymore - he's not even our best OF (Sorry Upton haters).

I like Carl and wish him a speedy return, but that's primarily because of team chemistry. Also, one bright spot to this injury, if it's only a few weeks or so - his hamstring can rest/recover so that he's a threat on the bases when he returns.

[Brian]

Doubtful, since it is a roster spot, with no flexibility other than as a pinch runner.

[Dave]

Since it's a finger injury, what are the chances of Crawford to come back off the DL to become baseball's best pinch-runner when the situation calls for it?

[Brian]

Hey, Brian, who posted at 3:17 PM, in response to my post about Bonds. With all undue respect, take a step back from your keyboard before calling me an idiot. First of all, Bonds has not played all year (BP in the cage and off the tee does not count), and will need some time to get ready (we only have 45 games after this one, and only 21 days after today to get him on the roster for the post-season). Secondly, we need a LEFT FIELDER, possibly for the rest of the season, so he does not help there. Thirdly, he is CANCEROUS, and this clubhouse is devoid of cancerous personalities - needs to be kept that way. Forthly, he'll just get walked in many situations anyway (and clog up the bases), since even now, Longoria, Pena and others are hitters pitchers would rather pitch to than Bonds (even now). Fifthly (I know, not a word, and neither is fourthly), does the word distraction ring a bell from the last several years in SF? We need health and mental toughness to get through pressure situations. That is it. Nothing else is needed for this team to win the division. Bonds is not the answer.

[John]

Oh yeah Red Sux lose!!!

[John]

Baldelli looks good. I don't think Crawford will be on DL long and Longo will be back Tuesday hopefully.

[Tallahassee Mike]

This is bad, but not season-ending for the team. They've already got Baldelli, Gross, Floyd, and Hinske, and Ruggiano hit well when he was up with us earlier this season. Once Bartlett and Longoria are back for good, they can send Zobrist or Aybar back and bring up Ruggiano, or just wait till the rosters expand.

[Reality]

2 words solve this............Barry Bonds

[Re:Re: edgar]

yeah you really suck

[cg]

After being sick forever, then growing a beard while fighting your way back to the bigs, would you shave it? I sure as hell wouldn't.

Anyway, I wouldn't mind Barry at DH...

[Mikey]

Losing Crawford is really the last thing the Rays needed. However, I have faith in this team. Many players have gone on the DL and unlikely heroes have emerged. I think we'll be ok. In fact, I'm more concerned about our starting pitching - hasn't been great in the last month - just as our hitting came around. The time is coming soon for Price to be brought up - Aug 31st so he can play in the post season.

[colt]

Looks like he has finished his detox from roids.... ERRRRRR I mean his Rehab from being tired..Wink Wink

[Lawrence]

Keep the faith

[mo]

why wouldnt you sign bonds, hes a two month rental who wont cost any money or any prospects.. we can try and please bud selig or we can try and make the playoffs for the first time in history

[Dom]

Bobby Abreu was an original draft pick of the St. Petersburg Devil Rays!!!!!

[Marco]

Think the now-hopeless Yankees would be willing to part with Bobby Abreu? Wouldn't that be the be all?

[Jason]

Duh. Jason Bay? Who's he?

[Z]

Quality AB's is what the Rays need from Baldelli...

[Dom]

I hope for the sake of management that Baldelli works out - this time. I have my doubts. He's the only I go know that times his pitches with bubble gum.

[Re: Edgar]

Please stop posting, Edgar. Please.

[Edgar]

Finally, Baldelli is up. The bad news, Crawford is on the DL. What is up with this team refusing to bring up Ruggiano. For some reason the team has something against Ruggiano. That is ridiculous. Also, need Longo to come back.

[Brian]

Brian, go look at Bonds career splits vs LHP before you make idiotic statements. He would be a huge upgrade for this offense.

[Ryan]

Damit. This injury will hurt our playoff chances. I think Ruggiano will be calld up soon to help out the OF. Hopefully Rocco can stay healthy.

[Baldelli's Beard]

I think we're getting ready to see Baldelli open up a can of whupass on major league baseball. You heard it hear first!

[Brian]

I, for one, would be very disappointed if they sign Bonds. He'd make Eric Hinske look like a gold glover in left, so he'd be a DH only. The team is already lefty centric in the order, so Adam Dunn doesn't make sense either. The answer, in my view, is to move Barlett to #2, Upton 3, Pena 4 and Longoria 5 (or flip pena and longoria), and take it from there. Bring up Ruggiano soon and play him in left field on most days and hit him 9th.

[Barry Bonds]

I heard someone was in desperate need of a left fielder.

[Jason]

2 moves at this point:

1 - Sign Barry
2 - trade for Nelson Cruz from the Rangers.

Neither have to clear waivers so Boston cannot block them as they did with Brian Giles.

Otherwise, we add Justin Ruggiano from the farm and just play it out and hope for the best. Just when CC was actually starting to get it together at the plate too.

[Brian]

Damn. This is getting so frustrating. They have been able to over come injuries all year, by playing all 25 on the roster and then some from Durham periodically. I will say, if Baldelli is insered in left field, plays most days and plays well, this will continue to be a team for the ages, as far as all the story lines. Last piece would be Price coming up and turning in Chamberlin in 2007 or KRod in 2002 (not so much from the bullpen scenario, but more from a late season rookie call up that makes a big impact on a playoff team).

Although, I can just hear the echos of all the front office trashers saying this is why we should have given up Brignac and Neimann for Jason Bay. Give that one up. No move was a good move. It's an on going process. This is not a "this year or no year" team. This is a ongonig development of a CONSISTENTLY strong team for years and years.

[Andy]

This is very, very bad. Maybe Adam Dunn can clear waivers.