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April 25, 2007
Coco Crisp is out of the starting lineup again tonight, missing his fourth straight start because of tightness in his left oblique.
Manager Terry Francona had been hopeful that Crisp would be able to return tonight, but instead, Wily Mo Pena, who has had his share of defensive troubles, is starting again in center. Crisp could very well wind up on the disabled list this weekend if his health doesn't improve.
"Coco's not as good as we wanted him to be," said Francona during his daily press briefing.
"The plan of attack is to not play him tonight or tomorrow and then we'll try to make a decision when we get to New York (Friday, for the opener of a series against the Yankees), whether he needs to be on the DL or can he come back and play," said Francona.
Francona said the medical staff has to determine whether it's a bruise or a strain. Crisp did some work in the weight room on Tuesday and said yesterday he was sore. Francona said they weren't sure if he was sore because he had worked out, or because of the oblique problem.
Crisp was cryptic when asked how he was felling.
"I'm fine," said Crisp, walking away with trainer Paul Lessard.
Crisp last played in a game on Sunday. He was scratched from the starting lineup, but entered as a defensive replacement. If the Red Sox put Crisp on the 15-day DL, they can back-date it to this past Monday, April 23.
If Boston needs to call someone up, veteran Alex Ochoa is in Pawtucket. Prospect David Murphy, who had a good spring with the big club, is starting for the PawSox and likely would be another option.
-- Steven Krasner
Posted by Steven Krasner 
at 4:33 PM | Permalink
