Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford has begun a 20-game minor-league rehab assignment, reports WEEI's Alex Speier.
Playing in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League on Saturday, Crawford went 0-for-3 with a pair of walks while serving as DH. His effort marked the first game action for Crawford since last September. In January, Crawford underwent wrist surgery, which caused him to miss all of spring training, and then in April right-elbow soreness set him back.
Last season, Crawford, while limited by a number of injuries, hit a disappointing .255/.289/.405 in the first year of a seven-year, $142-million contract. Needless to say, though, a healthy and effective Crawford would be a welcome presence in the battered Boston outfield. Crawford's real challenge, however, will be throwing the ball in spite of his still-healing elbow.
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