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Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti told reporters, including Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, that barring any setbacks outfielder Carl Crawford should be ready for Opening Day:
Colletti expects Carl Crawford to be ready for Opening Day, barring any setbacks. #Dodgers
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) November 13, 2012
The Dodgers acquired Crawford from the Boston Red Sox last summer along with fellow veteran players Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Nick Punto in exchange for Allen Webster, Ivan De Jesus, James Loney and two players to be named later, who ultimately became Jerry Sands and Rubby De La Rosa.
Crawford underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in August. Prior to the procedure he appeared in 31 games for the Red Sox, hitting .282/.306/.479 with 10 doubles, two triples and three home runs. While Tommy John surgery tends to sideline pitchers for about a year, position players generally return sooner.
After hitting .296/.337/.444 in nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, Crawford only managed a line of .260/.292/.419 over 623 at-bats with the Red Sox.