Carl Crawford progressing quickly, Scott Elbert throws 90

LOS ANGELES -- As the Dodgers open June with a nationally televised contest against the Pirates, one of the very few games that roughly two-thirds of the Los Angeles television market will have been able to watch this season, here is an updated on some of the infirmed.

Carl Crawford, who sprained his ankle on Tuesday, has been progressing quickly. Manager Don Mattingly said Crawford has been working in the weight room, doing agility work, hitting off a tee, and would have been cleared to join the team in batting practice on the field on Sunday but the Dodgers didn't take BP on the field before the series finale.

Mattingly said the medical staff is hopeful that Crawford would be ready to be activated on or close to June 12, his first day eligible.

"He's doing really well. I say that cautiously because medical would like me to say that cautiously," Mattingly said, while knocking on the wooden dugout bench. "But they have their fingers crossed with what he's doing."

Mattingly said Scott Elbert, who like Chad Billingsley is recovering from Tommy John surgery, is progressing nicely. Elbert has been throwing bullpen sessions at the Dodgers facility at Camelback Ranch and last week topped 90 mph while throwing live batting practice. He could start a minor league rehab assignment at some point soon, too.

"Scotty's on the move," Mattingly said.

Onelki Garcia, also rehabbing with Elbert in Arizona, has had numerous setbacks and hasn't been throwing bullpen sessions recently.

Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis, on the disabled list with a right ankle sprain, was sent home Sunday with the flu. Mattingly said fellow DL-mate Juan Uribe is also sick. Erisbel Arruebarrena was sick and unavailble on Saturday, but is better Sunday. The infielder will be available if needed in the series finale against the Pirates