BOSTON — Surgery sounds inevitable for Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia.
While Pedroia and the Red Sox still were weighing their options before Wednesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park, Boston manager John Farrell indicated that it’s “probably likely” the four-time All-Star will undergo a procedure on his injured left wrist/hand and be inactive for the remainder of the 2014 season.
“Nothing has been arranged as far as surgery,” Farrell said Wednesday on WEEI’s “Middays with MFB.” “Information is still being gathered. There’s not been a final, like I said, target date or decision in this way. It’s pointing towards him having the procedure done. So, whether or not he remains inactive — it’s probably likely he is inactive the rest of the way.”
An MRI performed Tuesday revealed worsening inflammation in Pedroia’s left wrist/hand, seemingly a product of multiple incidents this season. Pedroia, who said Tuesday he entered 2014 still rehabbing from his offseason thumb surgery, fell awkwardly on his wrist on a takeout slide at second base during the Red Sox’s home opener April 4 and then, according to Farrell, reaggravated the injury during a series in the middle of the year.
Pedroia attempted to play through the ailment with consistent maintenance, but it has gradually become worse, to the point where season-ending surgery could be the best option.
“Based on the feedback from our medical staff so far, this should be corrected and he should be able to regain full strength,” Farrell said. “We know that Dustin’s going to do whatever he can to get back to that. I think the recommendations and the prognosis going forward is very positive.
“What Dustin means to us is obvious,” Farrell continued. “This is the heartbeat of our team, and we’ve got to get him back to 100 percent as soon as we can.”
Pedroia is in the midst of his worst season offensively. It’s very likely that his ongoing injury battle is a big reason why, so shutting down Pedroia with an eye toward 2015 definitely makes sense for him and the Red Sox, who currently sit in last place.
