Crawford's getting close

By: Ian Browne/MLB.com

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Left fielder Carl Crawford (left wrist) is gaining momentum in his quest to start getting into some games.
That said, he is still slated to start the season on the disabled list, and the Red Sox won't set a date on his potential return to the team.
"Carl and I had a talk at about seven this morning. He's going to take his swings in that cage and progress with his throwing and he's going to have 20 bunts today, somewhere on the field," said manager Bobby Valentine. "He feels really good about where he is right now."

No rush Carl, seriously. If this wrist has been an issue for the past couple years like Crawford and Joel Maddon have been hinting at then there is definitely no rush to get him back. It's not like we'll be missing his production. McDonald, Ross and Sweeney should be able to fill in just fine in the mean time.

But for those who think that the Red Sox are going to make Crawford "earn" his spot back - please stop kidding yourselves. The Sox sank 22 million in to this guy. The spot is his. And if he blows up in there faces? Well, it's better to burn out than to fade away...