Coco Crisp's index finger turns out to be broken, sidelining the speedy center fielder and leadoff hitter at least the next 10 days.

01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, April 11, 2006

BY ART MARTONE
Journal Sports Editor

For the Red Sox, the yin of David Ortiz' contract extension was tempered yesterday by the yang of the loss of Coco Crisp.

Crisp will be sidelined indefinitely because of a non-displaced fracture at the base of his left index finger, suffered Saturday in Baltimore during an awkward slide into third base after he was picked off second. Crisp played the remainder of that game, but sat out Sunday when the finger became swollen.

The Sox downplayed the significance of the injury at the time -- Crisp himself proclaimed himself ready to play, and the Sox said he would be back for Opening Day today -- but X-rays yesterday revealed the fracture. Dr. Thomas Gill, the Sox' medical director, released a statement yesterday afternoon in which he said Crisp's finger will be placed in a splint for the next 10 days. The injury will be reevaluated then.

"Once sufficient healing has occurred, Coco can begin batting and return to baseball activities," said Gill in the statement. "No surgery is [necessary] at this time."

Various media reports in Boston yesterday indicated Crisp could be sidelined for up to six to eight weeks, though Gill's report would seem to indicate a shorter recuperation period.

The normal recuperation period for this injury is about four weeks but Crisp traditionally has been a fast healer.

"We're not going to speculate on any timetables," said general manager Theo Epstein, who said the Sox will make a roster move today. They recalled outfielder Dustan Mohr from Pawtucket.

The Red Sox are going to use Adam Stern and Wily Mo Pena in centerfield in Crisp's absence. Neither Stern or Pena will bat leadoff. That duty will be shared by Loretta and Youkilis.

"No one person can replace Coco's exact skill set," said Epstein, "but we think through mixing and matching we can stay together and prosper."

The Sox had been planning to send Stern back to Pawtucket after the 17 days of major-league service that was necessary to fulfill Rule 5 roster requirements, but Stern's stay in Boston may be extended because of Crisp's injury.

Crisp, acquired in the offseason from Cleveland as a center-field replacement for Johnny Damon, had gotten off to a quick start with the Sox. He was batting .333 in the six games, with a pair of stolen bases.

"He brings so much already to this ballclub and we're going to miss him," said Ortiz. "No joke. Hopefully he'll recover fast."

amartone@projo.com / (401) 277-7345