BASEBALLPARK

Photo by Nancy Lane (File)

The season hasn't even started yet, and Carl Crawford has already suffered a setback.

The outfielder underwent surgery today to clean up cartilage in his left wrist, and general manager Ben Cherington said there's a chance Crawford will miss the start of the season.

"We're not ruling out opening day, but we're not going to put a timeline on it," Cherington said. "He'll be ready exactly when he's ready. No one works harder than Carl. We're confident he'll be back and playing soon. We just don't know when."

Cherington said that Crawford began feeling discomfort in his wrist when he ramped up his offseason hitting around New Year's. While he had felt soreness in the area before -- including at the end of the 2011 season, when Crawford often sported an ice pack -- the fact that it was bothering him this early in the offseason was a red flag and he sought an MRI.

The test revealed damage to the cartilage and ligament area on the outside of his left wrist and Crawford underwent what Cherington described as a minor procedure. Dr. Donald Sheridan performed the surgery today in Arizona. Crawford has a relationship with Sheridan that dates back to his days with the Rays.

"We think this time of the year's a lot better than the end of spring training," Cherington said. "He's got a chance to do a lot of work and recover and be active for us for the majority of the season. Carl's a really gough guy and this is something that's bothered him periodically in the past, including in 2011."

Cherington said Crawford should be, "progressing with baseball activities as we get into spring training."Cherington said Crawford's injury does not create any urgency to find another outfielder. The Red Sox [team stats] are comfortable opening the season with Jacoby Ellsbury [stats] in center, and some combination of Ryan Sweeney, Darnell McDonald, and Mike Aviles on the corners.

"Carl will be our everyday left fielder for the bulk of the 2012 season," Cherington said.