Coco on the mend

« Tonight's NY lineup | Main | Pena scratched »

May 22, 2006

By Christopher L. Gasper, Globe Staff

Coco Crisp is progressing toward a return. Red Sox manager Terry Francona said the switch-hitting center fielder, who has been out since April 9 with a fractured knuckle in his left index finger, took 20 swings from each side of the plate and also ran the bases today. Crisp's rehab had been delayed by a kidney stone, a malady he also had when he was 19.

"I think swinging wise he feels pretty good," said Francona. "I think the hurdle is he has to build up the intensity of his workouts because he was on his back for seven days [after the removal of the kidney stone]. He's got to get some strength back so he can go out and do his job. I think that is as much a hurdle now as his finger. His finger is doing pretty well."

Francona said it's possible that Crisp will head to Florida, possibly within a week, on a rehab assignment. The advantage of sending the Sox leadoff hitter to extended spring training is that he could lead off every inning to get six or seven at-bats since those games are played under relaxed rules, said Francona.

The Red Sox activated reliever David Riske from the disabled list. In order to make room for Riske, who was placed on the disabled list April 12 with a lower back strain, Abe Alvarez was returned to Triple A Pawtucket.

Francona confirmed that David Wells will return to the mound this Friday against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, after the burly lefthander was solid in a rehab assignment for Pawtucket yesterday. Wells threw 66 pitches and went five innings, allowing four hits and two runs, while walking one and striking out three. Francona said he is convinced that Wells is more prepared to return to action than he was when he made his first and only start for the Sox this year, after off-season surgery on his right knee, against Toronto on April 12.

"Our Triple A manager, Ron Johnson, said he looks more like the Wells he has seen," said Francona. "I don't think you can base everything on a Triple A start. I don't think winning that game was life or death for him. You hope that he gets his work and he gets a lot out of it because we want him to win for us, but I do think he showed a lot better."

Francona said that Gape Kapler is about a week away from a starting a rehab assignment and is running the bases without a noticeable limp.

Posted By: cgasper | Time: 04:50:38 PM | E-mail to a friend | Link | Sound off