Times wires
Saturday, April 16, 2011
BOSTON — Former Rays LF Carl Crawford, struggling in his first season with the Red Sox, sat out Saturday's game against the Blue Jays.
Crawford, who signed a seven-year, $142 million contract in the offseason, went 0-for-5 in Friday's 7-6 loss to Toronto, dropping his average to .137.
"He really wanted to play, which is good," manager Terry Francona said. "But I think it'll do him a lot better to get a day off. I think everybody knows this guy will be really good. He's a really consensus kid. He's trying too hard."
SS Jed Lowrie was inserted into the leadoff spot and hit a two-run homer in Boston's 4-1 victory (details, 5C).
Crawford has batted leadoff six times this season. Boston's first two wins came with him in the top spot, but he went 0-for-10 in those games.
After Crawford's last at-bat Friday, a three-pitch strikeout against closer Jon Rauch, he walked back to the dugout to loud boos.
"I guess I'm trying to do too much," Crawford said Saturday morning.
PROSPECT DIES: The death of Nationals prospect Yewri Guillen from bacterial meningitis prompted the team to take precautions to protect other players at its Dominican training academy. Guillen, a shortstop, died Thursday at age 18 after first showing symptoms of the disease Monday, said Dr. Wiemi Douoguih, the team medical director.
MAUER IMPROVING: Twins star C Joe Mauer is continuing to recover from a viral infection and could take part in a light workout today at Tropicana Field. The team believes the infection has increased Mauer's body soreness. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with leg weakness stemming from offseason arthroscopic left knee surgery.
SIZEMORE READY: Indians CF Grady Sizemore could be activated from the disabled list in the next two days after being sidelined for nearly a year after having microfracture surgery on his left knee. Manager Manny Acta would not say specifically when Sizemore will be back.
BREWERS: RF Corey Hart, out since early spring training with a strained left oblique, is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Nashville.
GIANTS: CF Andres Torres went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left Achilles' tendon.
MARINERS: Days after saying he was nearly over a stomach ailment that dated to last season, CF Franklin Gutierrez was scratched from a rehab appearance with Class A High Desert and was scheduled to be re-evaluated.
METS: RHP Chris Young went on the 15-day disabled list with biceps tendinitis in his right arm. … LF Jason Bay, out all season with a strained left intercostal muscle in his rib cage, could be activated from the disabled list Tuesday.
YANKEES: 3B Alex Rodriguez left after six innings with lower back and oblique stiffness. No tests are planned, and Rodriguez is day to day.