Through all of the injuries, though, the Red Sox have remained competitive in the brutal American League East. Still, Red Sox fans can't help but be worried about Dustin Pedroia.
The second baseman, fresh off one of the best nights of his career, was forced out of Friday night's game with a left foot injury. Pedroia's known for his toughness, so seeing him leave a game is a sight not often seen.
Always the gamer, Pedroia sent manager Terry Francona and trainer Mike Reinold back to the bench so that he could finish his at-bat. He worked a walk but could barely make his way to first base, forcing Francona to take his second baseman out of the game. Pedroia then needed assistance walking down the tunnel to the Red Sox' clubhouse.
"He got X-rays," Francona said, according to the Boston Herald. "They did not see a break, but the kid's sore as hell."
The team never said if the X-rays are negative, which is reason enough for concern to spread throughout the Nation. Pedroia, who left the clubhouse in a walking boot and with crutches, seemed a bit doubtful himself.
"I'm sore," he told the Herald. "I'll get checked out [Saturday] and make sure we get to the bottom of everything, but I'm pretty disappointed. I've never really hit a ball there before. But I'll be all right."
Pedroia's been on an absolute tear since the calendar turned from May to June. He's batting .374 with 16 RBIs on four home runs, nine doubles and a triple. Combined with his 13 walks, he's getting on base at a .449 clip, and he's 6-for-6 on stolen bases to boot. He also turned in a performance for the ages on Thursday night in Colorado, belting three home runs and reaching base all six times he dug in to the batter's box.
Even if the Sox do lose Pedroia for an extended period of time, there will be many fans who aren't concerned. After all, this year's Red Sox have overcome a seemingly endless list of injuries, and even though Pedroia's arguably been the MVP, there's reason to believe the team will find a way without him.
There will be just as many people, however, who will believe that a potential Pedroia injury would be the straw that breaks the camel's back, so to speak.
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