Report: Red Sox OF Crawford wants surgery

Red Sox left fielder Carl Crawford reportedly wants to shut down playing and have surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, but is hesitant to tell the Red Sox, according to an ESPN report.

Citing "two people with close ties to Carl Crawford," the report states that Crawford is afraid of how this decision might be perceived in Boston.

Crawford began the season on the Disabled List after off-season wrist surgery, and has been disappointing overall since signing a seven-year, $142 million contract with the Red Sox in 2011.

In 29 games this season, the 31-year-old is batting .283 with three home runs and 19 RBI.