An elated Carl Crawford met with reporters yesterday after the first day of a grueling rehab program for his injured elbow. Crawford revealed that he began by throwing a pingpong ball at a distance of ten feet. After five throws, a perspiration-drenched Crawford toweled down and gave reporters the thumbs up.
"I'm really excited," Crawford said. "I was only supposed to do three throws today, but the elbow felt so good I decided to go for it and extend myself to five. I'm a little sore, but no pain no gain."
Crawford has dealt with numerous injuries since being acquired by the Red Sox, and intends to take the rehab process slowly to encourage good health. "In another week, I'll throw the pingpong ball again," he explained, "and we'll work it from there. Probably won't make it back this season, but I do hope to reach my goal of ten throws with the pingpong ball by September."
Meanwhile reporters questioned Ben Cherington on the rumors that the Red Sox have intentionally prescribed a workout program that could conceivably run the length of the six years remaining on Crawford's contract. "No truth to that at all," he said emphatically. "The fact that the minor leaguers and journeyman outfielders we've brought in to replace him have all outperformed him in no way means we don't want him back."
