Mixed results for Price in season debut

CHICAGO — David Price felt healthy and strong. Dustin Pedroia had a swollen left wrist after an awkward tumble.

Reasons for hope and concern for the Red Sox.

Price lasted five innings in his season debut in Boston’s 5-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, but the left-hander’s encouraging outing took a back seat to another injury for a key teammate.

Price, who missed the first part of the year with a strained left elbow, walked two, hit two batters and surrendered Melky Cabrera’s three-run homer in the third. But the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner had some nice moments as well, allowing just two hits and striking out four while throwing 88 pitches, 58 for strikes.

“It’s definitely a step in the right direction,” said Price, in the second season of a US$217-million, seven-year contract. “I felt good. Just command the baseball a little bit better with my fastball and I think things will take off for me.”

Meanwhile, Pedroia bounced to first in the first inning and Jose Abreu slid into the bag for the out. Pedroia went right over the top of the big first baseman while trying to beat out the grounder for a hit, putting his hands on the ground to brace for the fall.

The Red Sox then pulled Pedroia in the second with a sprained wrist, and manager John Farrell said the 2008 AL MVP was headed back to Boston for tests.

“It’s hard to say right now, and I think until we get the information, we’ll know more then,” Farrell said. “But I think anytime you’re dealing with a position player’s wrist, a hitter’s wrist, that’s always cause for concern.”

Next up is a fun little Tuesday night when Chris Sale faces his former team for the first time since he was traded to Boston over the winter. Jose Quintana pitches for Chicago in a matchup of All-Star lefthanders.

The White Sox saluted Sale with a highlight video during the first inning of the series opener, and the pitcher waved to the cheering crowd.