The struggling Red Sox will get a boost as they finally play their 2019 home opener, as the club announced today that second baseman Dustin Pedroia has been activated from the injured list. Infielder Tzu-Wei Lin was optioned to Triple-A to create roster space.
The 35-year-old Pedroia played in just three games last year and saw only limited action in camp. His surgically repaired left knee remains a long-term concern, but it’s evidently in good enough form to enable him to get back onto the active roster — and into the lineup. He’ll line up at his customary second base and hit seventh.
When last we saw him in extended action, back in 2017, Pedroia was still capable of turning in a league-average performance at the plate. While he popped just seven home runs in 463 plate appearances and carried a marginal .099 isolated power mark that just barely topped his prior low point, Pedroia still displayed impeccable plate discipline and contact skills.
Pedroia ended the ’17 campaign with a .293/.369/.392 slash. He continued to draw stellar grades for his glovework from Ultimate Zone Rating, though Defensive Runs Saved took a dimmer view. Baserunning was an issue, according to Fangraphs’ BsR measure, which graded Pedroia as a clear negative.
He surely won’t ever be as spry as he once was, but Pedroia could still be quite a useful player for the Boston organization — if he can keep his knee in working order. The hard-nosed star remains under contract for $15MM this year and $25MM combined for the ensuing two seasons. Eduardo Nunez will surely spell him rather often to keep the joints fresh. Lin and Brock Holt (currently on the injured list) are among the options to fill in or supplement Pedroia as the season unfolds.
Believe more use with Lin than with Nunez. Unfortunately, Nunez taking in 5m this year and that’s probably what is making the decision to keep him on the roster. lin plays every position as does nunez, plus CF in a pinch and is a plus defender at all 3 IF positions where Nunez is a minus. Think the bat of Lin will be fine also if he’s allowed to stick at the MLB level long enough like it proved fine at AAA last season.
he’s out of MiLB options this year regardless.
Over/under 6.5 games before he’s out injured again?
If we’re talking legitimate IL time injury, it’s over 6.5 games.
If we’re talking “couple days off to rest it since it’s a little balky” then there’s a shot at the under.
If the bullpen is at issue, and the knee is sore, I don’t think Cora would think too hard at shipping laser show down to get an extra arm, let him rest a couple days, and get a few short rehab games in to speed back up again
Under. This will end poorly. Pedroia will balk at a decision to sit him down and the ugliness will follow.
Always liked watching Pedroia play. Hope he still has something left in the tank and can stay healthy.
As for Nunez….I hear the Yankees need an infielder. Just kidding….
Yes that will be interesting to watch—how rapidly he returns to really feeling confident out there, both with his body and with the competition, and also what kind of player he can still ultimately be at
this stage of his career
Yawn
I’m a Mets fan but I’ve always been a big fan of Pedroia. I hope he comes back and continues being great.
He can become better .
Wishing Pedroia the best. He was a major face of the franchise behind Big Papi. Seeing injuries take a player out when they’re right in the home stretch chasing a Hall of Fame vote justification sucks. It’s also nice to see people rewarded for hard work and perseverance.
He’s finished. Tip your cap and retire Pettie.
We shall see very shortly but, I have a feeling you will be proven right
I think he plays out the contract then retires in a bast case scenario.
He won’t call it quits this year, but, if/WHEN he feels he can’t compete, I don’t see him hanging around to collect an extra year or half year contract. The guy is too competitive to do that.
The contract is the only thing keeping him going now. He’s not walking away from $50m plus.
Let the moaning and complaining begin.
Hang em up, Dust. You’re done.
Such a kind and sweet sentiment—and yet it’s based on what exactly?