Sore elbow to keep Dodgers’ Carl Crawford out of Opening Day lineup

Glendale, AZ, United States (4E Sports) – Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Carl Crawford has been shut down from throwing or hitting for at least a week due to nerve irritation in his left elbow.

Crawford said it wasn’t pain he felt in his surgically repaired left elbow, but tightness and soreness.

The Dodgers are now less hopeful that Crawford will be in left field on April 1 when they open the season against the San Francisco Giants.

“Opening Day would be great, but as I’ve told him, if it’s 10 days into it, if it’s 15 days into it, if it’s 20 days into it, I want him to be healthy when it starts,” manager Don Mattingly said, according to ESPN.com.

Crawford flew back to Los Angeles Thursday to be examined by the team doctor, and according to the Dodgers, the repaired ligament remains sound.

The Dodgers acquired Crawford, and his $100 million contract, from Boston two days after he had Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in August. They have the highest major league payroll ever, topping the Yankees’ $209.1 million mark from 2008.

“It’s frustrating, because personally I’ve been so anxious to get back out there,” Crawford said.

Crawford is a career .292/.332/.441 hitter and, if healthy, will form a daunting outfield with Matt Kemp and Andre Either.

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