Pedroia itching, and near ready, to get on field
TORONTO — Dustin Pedroia has played one baseball game in the past month, but if he’s able to run the bases without a problem today, he sees no reason why he couldn’t be back in the Red Sox lineup this weekend.
Rehab assignment? Pedroia doesn’t see much point.
“I’m not a big believer in, ‘Oh, your timing’s off,’ or anything like that,” he said. “I mean, I’ve had, I don’t know, what, 5,000 at-bats to get my timing? If I don’t have it by now, I don’t think I’ll ever get it.”
Sidelined by his latest bout with left knee inflammation, Pedroia has been on the disabled list since July 29, coming off only momentarily to start one game at designated hitter before being shut down again. He’s gone through a lengthy rehab process that’s ramped up for the past week, including on-field batting practice and ground balls at second base.
Today will be his most intense workout, going around the bases at full effort. If there’s no problem, both Pedroia and manager John Farrell agreed there would be no other major milestone to pass before playing in a game.
And it seems entirely possible that next game will come at Yankee Stadium during the upcoming four-game series.
“We felt all along that (today) will be a pivotal day when he gets on the base paths and goes through a little bit more of that at full speed,” Farrell said. “Right now, he’s clearly moving in the right direction . . . . He’s put himself in a position to get back on the field in games.”
But would a rehab assignment make sense for a guy who’s had just four atbats and hasn’t played the field since July 28?
“Well, by rule, they’re not required to,” Farrell said. “So, we also know that we’re in the throes of a pennant race, so performance and production is key. But make no mistake, Pedey getting on the field and his ability to impact the game in other ways, particularly around second base, that’s always going to be a plus.”
Pedroia said he would be willing to go on a rehab assignment “if they want me to,” but it’s clear he feels ready to play now.
Pedroia’s left knee has been a problem for a while. He had offseason surgery to address it, but it’s remained an occasional issue throughout this season, and it landed him on the disabled list two weeks after the All-Star break. His initial attempt to come back quickly was abandoned after that one game, and Pedroia said he’s done more rehab work this time, so he’s more confident the knee will hold up.
“We’re trying to do everything we can to get it better and make sure when I get out there, I stay out there,” he said. “Just trying to build up right now. We’ll get the strength part tested every way I can before I get out there.”
Although Farrell acknowledged the potential for Pedroia to need occasional days off just to keep his knee fresh, Pedroia is hoping to return as an everyday player without limitations.
Could he need offseason surgery?
“I hope not,” Pedroia said. “That’s something I don’t think (any) of us want to happen. That’s basically it. Just try to rehab, get it as strong as possible and go from there.”