Dustin Pedroia has been activated from the disabled list and will bat second and play second base when the Red Sox begin the second half of the season tonight against the Angels.
Pedroia has been sidelined since June 24 with a left hamstring strain, but he didn’t end up needing a minor league rehab assignment. All-Star Brock Holt filled in at second base with Pedroia out of the lineup, but now he’ll return to a utility role. He’s not in the lineup for tonight’s game.
Injuries hindered Pedroia’s production in 2013 and 2014, but the 31-year-old was batting .306/.367/.452 with nine home runs and 33 RBI over 69 games prior to landing on the disabled list. The Red Sox begin the second half with a 42-47 record, 6 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the American League East. They are running out of time to make something out of their season, but having a healthy Pedroia back in the lineup helps their chances.