Maybe this is the nudge the Red Sox need to get their season heading in the right direction.
Boston announced Tuesday it has activated veteran second baseman Dustin Pedroia from the 10-day injured list. He is batting seventh in the team's home opener against the Blue Jays.
Prior to today’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, the #RedSox reinstated 2B Dustin Pedroia from the 10-day injured list. To make room for Pedroia on the active 25-man roster, the club optioned INF Tzu-Wei Lin to Triple-A Pawtucket. pic.twitter.com/7URx08e1Px
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) April 9, 2019
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Pedroia, 35, has played in three games total since the start of the 2018 season and has not appeared in a Red Sox lineup since May 29 of last year.
The veteran underwent a cartilage restoration procedure on his left knee in September 2017 and has struggled to get back to full health since.
But in three minor league games this season, Pedroia went 3 for 9 with a double, two walks and a run scored, so he is at least healthy enough now to perform on the field at some level.
Pedroia's recovery wasn't easy, but during spring training he could hardly contain his excitement to get back on the field.
"I don't have any restrictions," he said. "I just have to be smart. I don't need to take a hundred ground balls. I need to take the amount that gets me ready for the game and then stop. Just limit the time on my feet and make sure I'm always staying on top of things to keep me healthy."
The question now is, where does Pedroia fit into Boston's plans?
The Red Sox are coming off a season in which they led MLB in runs scored, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS. While they have started a bit slower at the plate this year, they are still a formidable offense that doesn't have a lot of room for additions.
However, with a recent injury to Brock Holt, who went on the 10-day IL after suffering an eye injury while playing with his son, there is some room for now, so this may be the perfect time for the veteran to come back. Maybe his addition helps Boston shake off a 3-8 start to the season.