1st-place Red Sox put 2B Pedroia back on DL with knee woes
NEW YORK (AP) Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is back on the disabled list for the third time this year because of knee trouble, but manager John Farrell said there's no indication the Boston All-Star won't play again this season.
The AL East leaders put Pedroia on the 10-day DL with inflammation Saturday before taking on New York at Yankee Stadium. The move was retroactive to Thursday, and left-hander Robby Scott was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Farrell also said there hasn't been on a decision on the next step for ailing lefty David Price.
Pedroia has been hobbled by knee problems since being injured in a late slide by Manny Machado at Baltimore on April 21.
Farrell said Pedroia needs more time for his irritation to subside, and there is no timetable for his return.
''There's nothing we have right now that suggests he won't be back,'' Farrell said.
Pedroia had surgery last October to clean up his left knee. He came back strong this season, and the 33-year-old leads the team with a .303 batting average and a .378 on-base percentage. The former AL MVP has six home runs and 54 RBIs.
Pedroia tops major league second basemen with a .997 fielding percentage, making only one error this year. That miscue ended his Red Sox-record of 114 straight games without an error by a second baseman.
Pedroia was 0 for 4 as a designated hitter Wednesday at Tampa Bay in his only game since July 28. He also was on the DL from May 30 to June 9.
Recently acquired Eduardo Nunez has been starting in Pedroia's place. Nunez hit .407 with four homers and 12 RBIs in his first 12 games after being traded from San Francisco to Boston in late July.
Scott was 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 41 games for Boston this year. Farrell said he wanted an extra lefty for the bullpen this weekend at Yankee Stadium, possibly to turn around switch-hitters Aaron Hicks and Chase Headley.
Price hasn't pitched since July 22 because of inflammation in his left elbow. He threw in the outfield from 120 feet and also tossed some breaking balls from a shorter distance for the second straight afternoon.
''Two good work days,'' Farrell said.
Farrell said Price would be checked before Sunday night's game to see what's next in his recovery.
Price began the season on the DL because of his elbow. He was activated May 29 and went 5-3 with a 3.82 ERA in 11 starts.
