Dustin Pedroia got some tough news Monday, but things still are trending upward for the Boston Red Sox second baseman.
Manager Alex Cora revealed Pedroia will begin the 2019 season on the injured list, the new name for Major League Baseball’s disabled list. The 35-year-old still is working his way back from the cartilage restoration surgery performed on his left knee in 2017.
Cora stressed Pedroia hasn’t suffered any setbacks. Rather, the organization is playing things extra cautious and looking at the big picture with a player who isn’t expected to have an everyday role anyway.
Here’s a recap of Cora’s comments, courtesy of The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier:
Cora says Pedroia will open the season on the injured list. There have been no setbacks, but the Sox want to give him more time to build up. ‘He understands. Obviously a little down – which is great. It means he’s feeling good.’ No target date for activation.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) March 18, 2019
Cora said that the Sox are trying to remain mindful of the bigger picture of the next three years rather than an articificial deadline to start the season.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) March 18, 2019
For what it’s worth, here’s Pedroia’s reaction to the news:
"They have had to hold me back. I’m ready for Opening Day. It’s just they’re scared. No one has ever come back from something like this.” — Pedroia, matter-of-factly, not defiant, on why he is missing Opening Day.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) March 18, 2019
Pedroia has played in just four games this spring. He has two hits in seven at-bats.
The Red Sox on Monday also reassigned 11 players to minor league camp. Among those who survived the cuts was top pitching prospect Darwinzon Hernandez, whose vying for one of the team’s final bullpen spots.
