Dustin Pedroia missed Tuesday's game in Toronto against the Blue Jays to be with his pregnant wife, and he won't be back with the club for Wednesday's game either.
Terry Francona told WEEI that there is a chance Pedroia could return to the team on Thursday, but he is leaving that decision up to the second baseman.
"No, not tonight," Francona told The Dale and Holley Show on WEEI. "I just talked to him a little bit ago. He needs to stay back with Kelly, get her mom there, get some people around her. It's been a tough pregnancy for her. And if he wants to come back tomorrow, which I think there's a chance he will, he has my blessing either way. Nobody wants to win games more than me, believe me. But there is a perspective here and he need to take care of his new baby … and get everything in order. When that's in order and he's comfortable enough to play, we'll certainly welcome him back."
Pedroia left the Red Sox at 1 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon and arrived in Boston in time for the birth of his son, Dylan.
