Pedroia Could Miss A Month

Added on Jun 09, 2011 by Scott in

MLB

While the Red Sox continue their assault on the AL East they will be without the services of three-time All-Star second baseman Dustin Pedroia for an undetermined amount of time. Hours after defeating the hated Yankees for the second straight game in their showdown for division supremacy, Pedroia returned to Boston to have his ailing right knee examined by team doctors.

Pedroia has been experiencing discomfort in the knee for quite some time. The examination will reveal the extent of the damage, which in a worst case scenario would require surgery. If surgery is deemed the best option, he could miss up to a month, if not longer before being cleared to play again.

“It could keep me out a month,” Pedroia told The [Boston] Globe. “It’s not what I want, but I have to get it checked out. It’s been bothering me a lot.”

The 2007 AL Rookie of the Year has battled through pain since injuring the knee on May 16th, which might explain his struggles at the plate during the early part of the season. In 59 games, he is hitting .247 with four home runs and 22 RBI.

Pedroia is a career .299 hitter and winner of the 2008 American League MVP award. This marks the second time in two seasons he has dealt with injuries. Last year he missed 87 games with a broken bone in his foot. He attempted to come back to the lineup early, but lasted only two games before being sent back to the disabled list.

Pedroia has been a key catalyst in the Red Sox recent success. Needless to say, ensuring he’s as healthy as possible come September is important to their postseason aspirations. The most logical replacement for Pedroia is former starting shortstop Marco Scutaro, who returned from the DL on Tuesday.

Boston will go for the sweep tonight in Yankee Stadium. Overall, they have defeated the Yankees in five consecutive meetings.

Source: MLB.com