Carl Crawford to join Oklahoma City Sunday, Dodgers return likely after All-Star break

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford will resume his minor league rehab assignment on Sunday with Triple-A Oklahoma City after missing a few days while sick. But the outfielder isn't expected to rejoin the Dodgers until after the All-Star break.

Crawford played in parts of two games as designated hitter for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday and Wednesday, but left Wednesday after getting hit by a pitch in the third inning.

Crawford has been on the disabled list since April 28 with a strained right oblique.

The Dodgers are home through next Sunday, with a four-game series against the Phillies then a three-game set against the Brewers following this weekend against the Mets. Manager Don Mattingly said that Crawford, who has played two games in roughly 10 weeks, needs some time before he is activated from the DL.

"I shouldn't say it's impossible, but he's been out for a while and hasn't played that much," Mattingly said. "I guess we'll just see as he gets going and playing. If we have a need and he's swinging the bat well and playing good, I guess it's a possibility. But it's not really part of the plan right now."

Crawford is hitting .245/.260/.408 in 15 games, and started 13 of the team's first 19 games in left field. He last played on April 27.

Crawford is here at Dodger Stadium with the team, and participated Friday in batting practice and drills with the team.

"One thing I try to do is keep my legs strong, make sure I can still run, do the things that I do when I play. My legs feel good — I feel like I can steal a base at any time, I’ll run down balls in the outfield. The only thing I need to do now is play, swing the bat as much as I can," Crawford told Jon Weisman of Dodger Insider. "I’d like to be back as soon as possible."

Oklahoma City is hosting Omaha at home from Saturday through Tuesday, the plays five straight days in Colorado Springs before its All-Star break, concurrent with the major league break.

"He would have been in Oklahoma City today if he didn't have this little illness," Mattingly said. "We just wanted him to feel good before he takes off for Oklahoma City."

The Dodgers open their post-break schedule on Friday, July 17 in Washington D.C. against the Nationals.