"After a return to action tomorrow by Carl Crawford was ruled out yesterday, the prospect of him returning before the All-Star break is not looking real bright either.

Crawford reported yesterday he is "running at probably 40, 50 percent" of where he needs to be with his strained left hamstring. By any accounting method, that means he is a long way off from being 100 percent.

Yesterday was the two-week anniversary of Crawford pulling up lame after beating out an infield hit on June 17. Eligible to come off the disabled list during this final stop on the road trip in his hometown, a return here was always the sentimental date of choice for Crawford and everybody else.

The real date is impossible to peg, but with only a seven-game homestand left before the All-Star break, Crawford's estimation of where he is at with his injury did not lend itself to speculation he is close to returning.

"Being back home and I can't play is disappointing for me, but I can't harp on it," said Crawford before last night's game against the Astros as he and fellow Houston native Josh Beckett faced a swarm of local media."