Comcast SportsNet New England’s Sean McAdam reports that Dustin Pedroia has only a bruised kneecap and is likely to play in Friday’s game for the Red Sox.
Pedroia was sent back to Boston after Wednesday’s game for an examination, and it was reported that he might need surgery that could sideline him for a month.
However, it appears that the root of Pedroia’s knee pain isn’t cartilage damage after all. Bruises can be problematic on their own, but if that’s the only injury, no long-term absence is likely.
Hitting just .247/.361/.338 through 231 at-bats, Pedroia has struggled for much of the season, leading to speculation that he’s been playing through injuries.
Pedroia didn’t rejoin the Red Sox in New York for Thursday’s game, but the team is getting Jed Lowrie back from a shoulder injury tonight. He’ll return to shortstop, while Marco Scutaro moves to second in Pedroia’s place.