Red Sox’ Pedroia set for return Tuesday
The long wait is almost over. The Red Sox are on the verge of being the healthiest they’ve been all season. Second-baseman and former AL MVP Dustin Pedroia should be back in the line-up in time for Tuesday, when the team opens a long home-stand against the Los Angeles Angels.
Pedroia has been on the disabled list for over six weeks with a broken bone in his foot. The injury happened in a bizarre accident when Pedroia foul-tipped a ball that hit him right below his shin guard.
The timetable is set to go as follows. Pedroia will fly to Boston on Thursday, be examined on Friday, and go on a rehab assignment to the team’s Triple-A Pawtucket team Saturday and Sunday then return to the line-up in time for Tuesday’s game. That is the plan barring any unforeseen problems.
The Sox feel like Friday’s exam will go well and Pedroia will show he’s ready when he goes to Pawtucket, Massachusetts. He’ll undergo an X-Ray and possibly an MRI to ensure the foot has fully healed.
Pedroia practiced with the team and manager Terry Francona said he was able to run, hit and field very well. In 73 games this year, Pedroia has batted .292 with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs.
The Red Sox need Pedroia back very badly. Pedroia’s a very versatile player, able to get on base, steal bases and is a Gold-Glove second baseman.
The Red Sox also have to worry about catching the Yankees for the division lead, or plan B, catch the Tampa Bay Rays for a wild card spot. A trip to the postseason, taking into account all the injuries Boston has suffered, would be nothing short of a miracle. That would likely make Terry Francona the manager of the year as well.
Boston opted not to make any big moves at the trade deadline to address their injuries, instead choosing to stay patient, weather the storm and wait for their injured players to recover. If Pedroia helps the team to the playoffs, then the patience will have paid off.
Tags: