Gordon Edes, ESPN Staff Writer 12y

Ellsbury throwing; Crawford to follow

BOSTON -- Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury has been cleared to begin throwing, manager Bobby Valentine said Wednesday, and Carl Crawford is expected to be given similar clearance by the end of the week.

Ellsbury has been on the disabled list since April 14 with a partially dislocated right shoulder. Wednesday’s game against the Orioles is the 49th he has missed since going on the DL.

Crawford has yet to play this season, first as he recovered from January surgery on his left wrist, then because of what the team is calling a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, diagnosed in late April.

“[Ellsbury] is doing great,’’ Valentine said. “He is throwing, hitting off the tee and running the bases. It will be a normal progression barring any setbacks, but he is feeling great. Eventually we will have him do real activities, batting practice, then start games."

Assuming this is a normal progression, shouldn’t that mean Ellsbury is on track to start such activities next week?

“I don't know,’’ Valentine said. “It shouldn't be next month, but it could be.’’

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