Dustin Pedroia scratched as Mookie Betts misses another game

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HOUSTON — Alex Cora received his 2017 World Series ring shortly before Thursday night's series opener between the Red Sox and Astros at Minute Maid Park. A few minutes later, Cora's lineup was missing two key pieces he'll need to win another ring in 2018 — one of them a late scratch in between the ceremony and first pitch.

Five days after playing his first game of the 2018 season, Dustin Pedroia was taken out of the starting lineup because of soreness in the left knee that was surgically repaired this offseason. He's day to day, the team said.

Mookie Betts, meanwhile, was out of the lineup for a fifth straight game because of soreness in his left side. To this point, Cora does not regret continuing with Betts on the roster rather than putting him on the 10-day disabled list.

"No, no, no," Cora said. "Honestly, we feel that if this is late in the season, he’ll be leading off today. It makes no sense for us to push him. We’ve been taking care of guys from Day One of spring training.”

The goal remains for Betts to return during this four-game series.

Pedroia has made three starts since he was activated from the disabled list Friday, all complete games at second base. He played his first major league game of 2018 on Saturday and was out there again Sunday. He was out of the lineup Monday, back in Tuesday, and out of the lineup again Wednesday. 

The Red Sox knew they'd have to manage Pedroia's workload, and it's good the Sox did not take any chances with Pedroia on Thursday. At the same time, the scratch underscores that Pedroia can't be expected to be the Pedroia of old right away, at least not in volume of work.

Cora before the game spoke highly of how Pedroia has looked in the field in his brief time since returning from offseason. Pedroia is 1-for-11 at the plate.

Brock Holt played second instead of Pedroia on Thursday night, with Blake Swihart playing right field. Briefly, the Sox' lineup featured Swihart at second base in place of Pedroia with Holt in right, but that was amended.

Elsewhere on the injury front: Reliever Carson Smith is still deliberating on what course to follow after his shoulder subluxation. He's out for a long while no matter the choice winds up being. Tyler Thornburg's situation — his minor league rehab assignment ended because he was not recovering well physically from outings — doesn't leave any clear answer as to when he might be ready.

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