Pedroia on knee prognosis: 'The best I could get'
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ST. PETERSBURG -- Two days following exiting after just one at-bat against the Yankees when he felt his surgically repaired left knee “pop,” Dustin Pedroia was relieved to learn the issue was a minor one that won’t keep him out of action for long.
“I was nervous, obviously, to feel that [pop],” he said prior to Boston’s series opener against the Rays on Friday. “[The prognosis] is good news. The best I could get.”
Pedroia was taking swings in the batter's box Wednesday when, according to him, “I torqued and the knee didn’t.” After he was examined by a doctor in New York on Thursday, Pedroia said he believes the issue was actually related to his knee brace.
“I didn’t know what to think. I hadn’t had any issues to this point,” he said. “It’s just one of those weird deals. Some of the [batter's] boxes are really tacky; I just rotated and got stuck.
“It kind of scared me more than anything. We’re just going to let it calm down for a few days and it should be all right.”
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On Friday, Boston recalled righty Marcus Walden to fill Pedroia’s spot on the roster. Infielders Tzu-Wei Lin and Michael Chavis, Boston’s top prospect per MLB Pipeline, also joined the Red Sox from Triple-A Pawtucket to help fill the temporary void.
Pedroia, who joined the Red Sox in St. Petersburg for the three-game series against the Rays, said the brace will be re-evaluated during his stint on the IL and expects no issues going forward. He is coming off a major left knee injury that sidelined him for all but three games last season. The left knee was also a major hindrance for Pedroia in 2017, when he was limited to 105 games.
The most recent setback isn’t expected to keep him out for long.
“We have some positive news, and it’s just a matter of seeing how it reacts during the week,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Whenever [Pedroia’s] ready, he’s ready.”
After a productive offseason, Pedroia hoped he had finally turned a corner. He passed every test the Red Sox gave him in Spring Training and in a three-game Minor League rehab assignment to start the season. He made his debut for Boston in the home opener on April 9.
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Pedroia also started at second base on Thursday and Saturday. The Red Sox had him DH on Sunday and Monday, and he was not in the lineup for Tuesday's series opener at Yankee Stadium. The club had been basing Pedroia's playing time on a maintenance plan in which he could build back up from all the time he missed. He is 2-for-20 at the plate, but he has made a few stellar plays in the field.
While the latest mishap landed him on the 10-day injured list, Boston’s second baseman said he won't hesitate to jump right back into action once he’s medically cleared to do so.
“I’ve been through a lot,” Pedroia said. “It was fun getting out there and playing. I shouldn’t be taking swings and feeling that. It was just a weird, freak thing. I’m kind of over those freak things. I just want to get out there, have fun and play and help us win.”
Walking wounded
Cora said Brock Holt expected to get contact lenses on Friday to help with his scratched right cornea. If all goes well, Holt is expected to take batting practice with Eduardo Núñez (10-day IL, mid-back strain) on Saturday and rejoin Pawtucket on Monday.