Boston Red Sox OF Carl Crawford celebrates his 31st birthday with another start.

BOSTON – Red Sox left fielder Carl Crawford has been playing through a UCL injury in his left elbow that at some point could require surgery.

To help him stay in the lineup Boston picked-up a policy that every so often they were allowing him to take a game off here and there.

That seems to be a thing of the past as Crawford has played eighth straight games and has only missed two games since coming off the disabled list on July 16.

Even though he played last night to wake up to play a early game today, he could not be happier to do so as today he celebrates his 31^st birthday.

“Well, like we said, it was all part of a rehab process where they wanted to make sure that he was ready to go,” Boston manager Bobby Valentine said. “Once he passed those tests … we’re playing it day by day, and being that it’s his birthday, I’m thinking the least he should do is play today.”

Valentine went on to say that the spot on today’s roster is not about benevolence but more about his recent play.

“He’s playing great. He’s swinging well and doing everything we need him to do in the outfield and on the bases,” Valentine said. “If he needs a day, he’ll get a day, just like everyone else. Right now, there’s nothing restricting him.”

Barring a major setback, it looks like Crawford won’t be held back anytime soon.