GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford is being held out of action because of a strained right quadriceps, something of a concern given the team's short spring-training schedule and Crawford's recent history of leg injuries.

Carl Crawford felt tightness in his right quadriceps after the Dodgers' Cactus League game Wednesday. Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports

Crawford told trainers he felt tightness after Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the teams' Cactus League opener. Crawford misplayed a line drive into a triple, slid awkwardly at second base and scored from first on a Yasiel Puig double.

Crawford, 32, missed 30 games last season with a strained left hamstring and, after he returned, manager Don Mattingly had to give him days off periodically to try to avoid further injuries. Mattingly is hopeful but unsure whether Crawford can return Saturday.

"We don't feel like this is anything that's going to linger, but it is part of the process with Carl," Mattingly said. "With only X amount of games, we know we've got to kind of be careful."

The Dodgers play only 19 Cactus League games before opening their season March 22 in Australia against the Diamondbacks.

Crawford batted .283 with six home runs, 31 RBIs and 15 stolen bases last season. He was limited to 31 games in 2012 due to wrist and elbow injuries.

Meanwhile, outfielder Matt Kemp has yet to be cleared for running after October ankle surgery. He is scheduled to undergo another MRI exam Friday.