CHICAGO - There’s often a fear when a player seeks a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews for an elbow problem that Tommy John surgery is imminent.

Carl Crawford’s elbow problem is bad, but not that bad.

The good news/bad news is that the Red Sox outfielder does not need surgery, but it may be up to three months before he gets back on the field, according to a team source.

The key phrase is “up to.’’ Crawford must show he can throw all out from the outfield before he’s activated.

The Red Sox did not offer a timetable for a return in their statement.

“Carl Crawford was examined by the Red Sox medical staff,’’ said the team’s statement. “He was diagnosed as having a left elbow ulnar collateral ligament sprain. A conservative treatment protocol was recommended.

“Carl was also examined by Dr. James Andrews, who was in agreement with the assessment and plan. Carl received a Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injection and will be shut down from baseball activity during the initial phase of his treatment.’’

Normally, Crawford would be able to work his way back as a designated hitter, but David Ortiz is having such an outstanding season that that is not an option. So Crawford’s time away from the field could be prolonged.

Crawford, who signed a seven-year, $142 million deal before last season, had left wrist surgery in the offseason. After a slight setback during spring training, he developed a sore elbow.

He was shut down from throwing, and once his wrist got better, he started playing in extended spring training games as the designated hitter. The elbow, however, never seemed to get better. When Crawford lobbed a ball back to the infield before an extended spring game, he felt pain.

He returned to Boston to be examined. The Red Sox staff did not believe surgery was necessary, but Crawford was concerned enough to seek Andrews’s opinion.