Leftfielder Carl Crawford returned to the Rays clubhouse Wednesday afternoon with his injured right hand in a splint, but he remained optimistic about his recovery from a tendon issue in his right middle finger.

Crawford, who had successful surgery last Thursday in Arizona, didn't give a timetable on his return, but is planning on working hard to get back for a potential postseason run. Executive VP Andrew Friedman said earlier this month - when Crawford was put on the disabled list for the first time in his career - that the best case scenario would be that the two-time All Star could return by the team's final series in September.

"I hope so – like I said I’m gonna try my best to get back as soon as possible," Crawford said. "I don't know how the rehab is going to go, but I'm definitely hoping for the best, and I’m trying to do the best I can to get back on the field."

Crawford, who watched the Rays game from his offseason home in Arizona the past week, said his body feels great.

"The only thing I can't do is grip a bat with my right hand," Crawford said. "The rest of it is fine."

Crawford, who plans to meet Thursday with a therapist to get the next step in his rehab, said he isn't surprised the team has continued its success despite injuries to himself and Evan Longoria (Rays are 8-2 without Crawford in this stretch, and 9-2 without Longoria).

"We’ve been winning like that all year long without certain guys in the lineup," Crawford said. "This is a team that's not built for one person to make it win - it’s a team effort, so it didn’t surprise me that they can win while guys are out."

-- JOE SMITH

Tampa Bay Rays Eric Hinske (32) works to catch a foul ball in the left field corner to make the first out during third inning action against the Cleveland Indian. Hinske was playing left field as Rays Carl Crawford has the night off with a hamstring injury.  [Dirk Shadd, Times]

joesmith@sptimes.com