Red Sox shutting down Pedroia for remainder of 2018 season
BOSTON (AP) — Dustin Pedroia is back in the Red Sox clubhouse. But the Boston second baseman won't be playing in any games for the rest of the season.
Manager Alex Cora said Friday that Pedroia has been officially shut down for the remainder of 2018. Cora revealed the 35-year-old veteran had an additional arthroscopic surgery on his left knee while rehabbing in Arizona in July to cleanup some scar tissue. Pedroia had two initial procedures on the knee last October.
The four-time All-Star returned to action in May for three games, but went just 1 for 11 with two walks. Still, Cora left open the possibly for the Boston fan favorite to make it back before season's end. That changed after a conversation with Pedroia recently.
"It's tough not being able to help out the guys," Pedroia said. "But it's been great watching them and how great the year's been. We've done a lot of great things. It's that time of year where you're pushing to win the World Series.
"It'll be great to here and watch the guys try to accomplish that," he said.
The Red Sox have the best record in the majors and a big lead over the Yankees in the AL East.
Cora said Pedroia has continued to make progress since the July procedure. He said the decision to sit him down had more to do with there not being enough time or rehab opportunities to get him ready to play.
"We just ran out of time," Cora said. "We went through the process the right way, it just didn't happen."
Pedroia said his rehab program remains on schedule for him to be ready to go when spring training opens in 2019.
"I'll be ready — 100 percent."
In the meantime, he plans to keep working out in Boston to help his teammates out in whatever capacity he can. He has been texting with them after big wins and to give pep talks to a players struggling at the plate.
"I watched every pitch. I didn't miss anything," Pedroia said.
He said there are no regrets about trying to come back in May and he remains in agreement with the collective decision he made in consultation with his doctors and the team.
"I knew all along it would be tough. It's a surgery that requires time. And once you give it time you'll be fine," Pedroia said. "It's been 10 months since the first big surgery. So a lot of rehab and hard work and time put in. That's what I'm most upset about is you work that hard and you don't get a chance to do it.
"But looking at the big picture it's the right thing to do."
Pedroia said the ordeal hasn't been without mental ebbs and flows, however.
He said it wasn't until about "probably six weeks ago" that he felt like he would be in position to return as the type of player he was before the injury.
"You play the hand you're dealt and move on," Pedroia said.
