Pedroia undergoes procedure
Outlook remains unclear
Dustin Pedroia’s future still is uncertain after yet another operation on his left knee.
The Red Sox second baseman underwent successful left knee joint preservation procedure Tuesday, the team announced yesterday. It was the third separate procedure that’s been performed on his left knee as the 35-year-old appears hopeful at making another comeback attempt. The surgery was done by
Dr. Matt Provencher at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo., and the Red Sox said he’ll begin his rehabilitation back home in Arizona.
“As you guys know, he’s going to keep trying to find ways to make this happen,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “We’ll see where it goes.”
Pedroia played in just six games early this season — all in April — before knee discomfort forced him to the injured list. A minor-league assignment was unsuccessful as he tried to get it right and Pedroia decided to shut things down indefinitely in late May. The 35-year-old seemed to have a reality check then when he was asked if he would ever play again.
“I’m not sure,” Pedroia said May 27. “I think that’s the part of the time right now is figuring that out.”
Pedroia has played in nine MLB games since he had a cartilage restoration procedure on the knee in 2017.
Cora said he hadn’t talked to Pedroia yet but confirmed the obvious that he would not play again this season. The manager didn’t have many details on what Pedroia’s outlook is and if the plan is to make a comeback for the 2020 season.
“He’s going to go back home and think how it goes and how it feels and have rehab,” Cora said. “We haven’t gotten to that point but he’s going to rehab in Arizona and let’s see where it takes us. That’s basically where we at right now.”
Wright visits doc
Steven Wright visited Dr. James Andrews and got a PRP shot in his elbow, Cora said. The manager said it’s similar to the one Heath Hembree just received but wasn’t sure if it was on the inside or outside of the elbow.
Cora didn’t rule out the knuckleballer returning this season.
“Hopefully he can bounce back sooner rather than later and let’s see where it takes us, if he can come back this year,” Cora said.
Wright felt some discomfort in his elbow recently while playing catch, but Cora admitted that there had been some warning signs earlier in the season.
“There were some red flags during the season but not to the extreme that, like, we need him to be out, but when he tried to play catch, he felt it again and it’s been a long time without him trying and that’s why we’re like, you know what, let’s take a look at this and I just found out not too long ago,” Cora said. “I’ll have more details probably after the game or tomorrow.”
Little detour
MLB announced the Red Sox and Orioles will meet in next season’s “Little League Classic.” It will be the fourth installment of the annual game played in Williamsport, Pa., at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field as the league tries to grow the game at the youth level.
The Cubs and Pirates will play in this year’s edition Aug. 18. Cora’s brother Joey
Cora was with the Pirates when they went in 2017 and had good things to say about the event.
“It’s a good all-around experience,” Cora said. “At the beginning it looks hectic with the travel but if you get there early and spend time with the kids it was something that the Pirates and the Cardinals loved. It was fun. Looking forward to it. It’s something different. It’s a few hours from Baltimore so we don’t have to take a luxury plane over there.”