Carl Crawford was activated off the disabled list by the Dodgers today, and returns to the active roster in time for tonight’s game against the San Franscisco Giants, though he is not in the starting lineup. Crawford has been on the shelf since June 2nd with a strained hamstring.
Prior to getting hurt, Crawford was having a bit of a resurgence through the first two months of the season. He was hitting .301/.358/.470 with 5 home runs, 13 RBIs, and 9 stolen bases through 51 games this season.
Crawford has struggled since being a prize free agent signing by the Boston Red Sox prior to the 2011 season. He had a rough first year with the Red Sox, which was followed up with an injury riddled 2012. The Dodgers acquired Crawford, along with Josh Beckett and Adrian Gonzalez from the Red Sox in an August 2012 blockbuster deal.
To make room for Crawford the Dodgers demoted Scott Van Slyke to Triple A Albuquerque. However the bigger question is how the Dodgers will now get their 4 outfielders into the lineup. With rookie sensation Yasiel Puig tearing the cover off the ball, the Dodgers must find a way to fit in Puig, Crawford, Matt Kemp, and Andre Either. It will be an interestng dilemna for manager Don Mattingly going forward.
The Dodgers currently sit in 3rd in the NL West with a 40-44 record. However they are just 3.5 games behind the division leading Arizona Diamondbacks.
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Main Photo Credit: Spokeo.com, CC
