BOSTON -- While general manager Ben Cherington downplayed the need for adding another outfielder in the wake of Carl Crawford's wrist surgery Tuesday, the Red Sox can be expected to continue their search for outfield help before the Feb. 19 opening of spring training.

The Sox have Jacoby Ellsbury in center field and recently added the left-handed hitting Ryan Sweeney, who was an above average defender in Oakland and was expected to get first crack at the majority of playing time in right field. The team also has Darnell McDonald to play against left-handers; Ryan Kalish, who is recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder; and Mike Aviles, an infielder who has been playing outfield in the Puerto Rican winter league.

The only other outfielder on the 40-man roster is Che-Hsuan Lin, who began last season in Double-A Portland before his promotion to Pawtucket.

The Red Sox had already been searching for another right-handed bat to play the outfield, and given Crawford’s injury, those efforts almost certainly will intensify.

With Ryan Ludwick reportedly coming to terms with Cincinnati on a new deal, the best available free agent remaining on the market would appear to be Cody Ross, who was paid $6.3 million by the Giants last season. The Sox could also look for help via trade.