Red Sox OF Crawford has wrist surgery

[January 18, 2012]  BOSTON (AP) -- Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford had surgery on his left wrist and could miss opening day.

General manager Ben Cherington says Crawford is expected to resume hitting at some point in spring training and be ready early in the season. He says the team hasn't completely ruled out Crawford's availability for the opener.

Cherington says Crawford started hitting more actively recently, and he felt pain in the wrist. The surgery was performed in Arizona.

Crawford had career lows with a .255 average and 18 stolen bases in 2011, the first season of his seven-year, $142-million contract with the Red Sox.

[Associated Press]

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