Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford hasn’t stepped on a major-league field since his misplay of that sinking line drive in Baltimore last September helped cost his team a chance at a wild-card spot.

He’s been battling various injuries, including a strained groin during his current rehab assignment ... and now says he might need Tommy John surgery on the elbow problem that’s kept him out all year. Maureen Mullen:

"Probably at some point, because it’s one of those deals. It is what it is," Crawford said. "So probably at some point it’s going to go out on me."

Asked if he had thought about having surgery before the elbow goes out, Crawford replied:

"Thought about it but at this point if I can play, I think they want me out on the field. So I’m just trying to do everything I can to get back on the field."

Recovery time for a position player from TJ surgery is shorter than for a pitcher, but the cautionary tale for Crawford is Xavier Nady, who had TJ surgery in 2009 after a 25-homer, 97-RBI season with the Pirates in 2008. Nady hasn’t been anywhere close to the same player since.

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