The Boston Red Sox better prepare for a ball of energy to storm the clubhouse in 2015.
Dustin Pedroia, who underwent season-ending surgery on his left wrist/hand in September, has been completely cleared from a physical standpoint to resume all baseball activities, according to Red Sox manager John Farrell. A return to full health could mean an improved — and even more boisterous — Pedroia manning second base this season.
“We talk about pitchers bouncing back. I wouldn’t say Dustin is a bounce-back situation, but the fact that he’s gotten some of these hand issues behind him, we feel like Dustin is one of our leaders, clearly,” Farrell said Wednesday on MLB Network Radio. “To have him pain-free or without restriction, we feel like there’s going to be a return of the ability to drive the baseball as he’s done in the past. And I know that he’s confident.
“What that usually means is a louder Dustin Pedroia, which is always a good thing.”
Pedroia posted career-low numbers in 2014 after sustaining an injury early in the season. It was the second consecutive year Pedroia played through an injury, so Boston’s hope is that the 31-year-old will return to his usual All-Star form following a healthy and productive offseason.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
