Dustin Pedroia. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Dustin Pedroia's only played three games this season because of inflammation in his left knee that followed offseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus, and the four-time All-Star still hasn't been cleared for baseball activities since returning to the disabled list three weeks ago. Red Sox manager Alex Cora admits that's concerning.
"It's taking longer than what we expected as far as the throwing program," Cora said. "He did well today. Same deal, we're waiting for the swelling and the pain to go away and we go from there."
Cora said the improvement's been up and down, but he maintains Pedroia will return this season.
"It was a major surgery, we didn't know what to expect," he said. "We are where we are now. We're hoping that yeah, he'll be back. When? We don't know. But I still believe that he's gonna contribute this season, and he's gonna help us to win."
Pedroia's 1-for-11 with a pair of walks in limited action. Prior to this season, he's averaged just 122 games the last four years. Without Pedroia, Eduardo Nunez and Brock Holt have posted some of the worst offensive and defensive production at second base in all of baseball.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports