Rays’ Crawford leaves game after pickoff throw strikes him in the groin

BALTIMORE — Tampa Bay Rays All-Star outfielder Carl Crawford left Tuesday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles after being struck in the groin with a pickoff throw to first base.

Crawford reached on a fielder’s choice in the top of the first and was leaning off the base when Orioles rookie Jake Arrieta threw toward first. First baseman Ty Wigginton missed the ball, which hit Crawford between the legs.

Crawford rolled off the base and was tagged out.

He remained doubled over for several minutes before finally walking off the field with help from trainer Ron Porterfield.

"Carl Crawford is one of the toughest guys I’ve ever played with," said Wigginton, who was a teammate of Crawford’s in 2006 and 2007. "He’s a true gamer, and if that guy don’t bounce up, it’s not good."

Crawford was later taken by ambulance to a hospital, where tests were negative. He was diagnosed with a testicular contusion and listed as day to day.

"You couldn’t hit it in a better spot. It just took the wind out of me," Crawford said. "Right now it’s real sore, but the doctor said there was no damage. I’m guessing I’ll take (Wednesday) off."

Crawford said he doesn’t wear a protective cup because it’s too restrictive, and he insisted he won’t change that practice.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre suffered a torn testicle last August when he was struck by a ground ball. Like Crawford, Beltre was not wearing a cup. Beltre was on the disabled list for almost three weeks

Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

BALTIMORE — Tampa Bay Rays All-Star outfielder Carl Crawford left Tuesday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles after being struck in the groin with a pickoff throw to first base.

Crawford reached on a fielder’s choice in the top of the first and was leaning off the base when Orioles rookie Jake Arrieta threw toward first. First baseman Ty Wigginton missed the ball, which hit Crawford between the legs.

Crawford rolled off the base and was tagged out.

He remained doubled over for several minutes before finally walking off the field with help from trainer Ron Porterfield.

"Carl Crawford is one of the toughest guys I’ve ever played with," said Wigginton, who was a teammate of Crawford’s in 2006 and 2007. "He’s a true gamer, and if that guy don’t bounce up, it’s not good."

Crawford was later taken by ambulance to a hospital, where tests were negative. He was diagnosed with a testicular contusion and listed as day to day.

"You couldn’t hit it in a better spot. It just took the wind out of me," Crawford said. "Right now it’s real sore, but the doctor said there was no damage. I’m guessing I’ll take (Wednesday) off."

Crawford said he doesn’t wear a protective cup because it’s too restrictive, and he insisted he won’t change that practice.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre suffered a torn testicle last August when he was struck by a ground ball. Like Crawford, Beltre was not wearing a cup. Beltre was on the disabled list for almost three weeks

Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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