Pedroia cautious on return
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Dustin Pedroia’s goal isn’t merely to come back from his knee injury.
He’s done that before. The challenge for the Boston second baseman this time is to return at the right time, to stick around longer than three games and help the Red Sox get back to the World Series with his play instead of by cheering them on from the dugout.
“The human body is on its own program, man,” Pedroia said after working out with the other infielders Thursday, a day before the defending champions open their exhibition schedule against Northeastern University.
“I’m trying to come back. Obviously, I want to play and get back in there, but I’ve played in a lot of games. I understand the speed of the game and what it takes to play. We want to make sure my knee is OK.”
A four-time All-Star and the 2008 American League MVP, Pedroia had surgery on his left knee after the 2017 season and started last year on the disabled list. He came back in May but played just three games before going back on the DL and spending the rest of the season there.
“My knee couldn’t handle the load,” Pedroia said Thursday. “When you do something too soon, your body will say ‘Stop.’ That’s what happened.”
Pedroia was with Boston for its World Series run — the third championship of his career — and manager Alex Cora praised him for the leadership he provided from the bench. Pedroia talked about being able to enjoy the Series more than when he was so focused on playing.
But during the offseason he turned his attention back to rehabbing his knee.
Cora would update reporters over the winter about texts he received from Pedroia — videos of him working out and other progress updates that painted a picture of a guy who was eager to prove he would be ready. The Red Sox manager said if Pedroia can make it back, he would bat leadoff on opening day.
But if Cora’s goal was to get the 35-year-old motivated, he didn’t need to bother.
“I know he always asked for more,” Cora said. “He’ll try to get five more (practice repetitions) and 10 more, and [he’ll say] ‘I can sprint here and go there.’ There’s something about me telling him ‘no’ — he gets it.”
The team is trying to control the comeback and avoid a repeat of last year’s false start. Cora said the biggest question isn’t whether Pedroia can make it through a workout such as the one Thursday but how his knee responds Friday.
“I don’t try to get too excited,” Pedroia said. “I was really happy after the first game I played last year and three days later it was pretty bad.”
Cora said Pedroia isn’t expected to play in Friday’s exhibition game against Northeastern or in the Grapefruit League opener against the New York Yankees on Saturday. Of course, neither are many other veterans and everyday players, who don’t need the spring atbats to get into shape or try to earn a spot on the team.