Mattingly Has No Beef With Crawford's Shoulder

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly says the shoulder of Carl Crawford, one of the Dodgers' four major-league outfielders, is not going to be problematic:

Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly says he doesn't expect a right shoulder injury to Dodgers left fielder Carl Crawford during a minor league game Tuesday to be serious.

Mattingly, in Sydney with the Dodgers for their two-game Major League Baseball opening series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, said Wednesday at Sydney Cricket Ground that no MRI exams or other scans were scheduled "but that could change."

Crawford is one of four Dodgers left behind at Camelback Ranch in Phoenix because his fiancee is about to give birth.

"It sounds like he had a checked swing and felt a little something in his shoulder. ... He stopped right there," Mattingly said. "He had a planned day off tomorrow, and we expect him to play the day after."

Unlike general grumpiness, presence at the birth of one's child seems like a good reason to miss Opening Day. Take the time to rest up, Carl!