Crawford likely out until after All-Star break
Dodgers left fielder had slight setback because of illness
LOS ANGELES -- After two partial games with Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga, Carl Crawford will be moving to Oklahoma City for the next step in his rehab.
Crawford was in Los Angeles on Friday and has been set back by a day or two with flu-like symptoms. Crawford is currently on the 60-day disabled list with a right oblique injury.
Manager Don Mattingly said that he doesn't expect Crawford to be activated before the All-Star break, but didn't completely rule out the possibility.
"I shouldn't say it's impossible, but he's been out for a while and he hasn't played that much," Mattingly said. "So we'll see how it goes, if we have a need and he's swinging the bat well and feeling good, then I guess it's a possibility, but that's not really part of the plan right now."
Crawford is 1-for-4 in six plate appearances across two games for Rancho Cucamonga, but has yet to complete a game. He was pulled for a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning in his debut Tuesday and removed from the game in the third inning Wednesday after being hit by a pitch.
"He had some sickness for about a day and a half that probably set him back just a little bit," Mattingly said. "He would've been in Oklahoma City today if it wasn't for that little bit of sickness. More than anything, we just wanted to make sure that he's feeling good before he takes off for Oklahoma City."
Mattingly has said that Andre Ethier will remain the everyday left fielder upon Crawford's return, and that plan hasn't changed, despite Ethier hitting .175 in his last 14 games.
"I think Dre is good enough to prove that he deserves the chance to be the guy," Mattingly said. "But that being said, for everyone it is a production game and you have to put the guys out there that give you the best chance to win as you get down the stretch."