Pedroia out of lineup, return to DL probable

The news regarding Dustin Pedroia's left knee could best be described as ominous.

Pedroia was not in the lineup for the opener of the Red Sox-Yankees series and is consulting with a specialist about his next move.

Pedroia came off the disabled list earlier this week after missing 10 days because of inflammation in the knee. He served as the Red Sox’ DH Tuesday, but was held out in the second game of the series. With a day off Thursday, Pedroia had another day for recovery and treatment, and yet wasn’t available for Friday’s opener.

“His knee has flared up on him,’’ said John Farrell. “There’s been a little bit of a pushback in terms of the reaction (to playing Tuesday) – some swelling, some inflammation. So we’re holding him out today. I wouldn’t rule out the DL. He’s been consulting with Dr. (Andreas) Gomoll back in Boston, so we see how this goes in the next 24 hours.
“Currently, we’ve got to continue to get some work done to get him back to where he feels he can endure day-to-day.  And we’re not quite there yet.’’

Farrell noted that after Pedroia was put through an on-field work-out on Monday, the day before he was activated from the DL, and passed every test. The latest setback has caught the team by surprise.

Further, Farrell had stressed over the last week that Pedroia’s problems were the result of “volume’’ – i.e., the buildup of innings on the field, made worse by long games in the field.

Now, with just four DH at-bats this week, he’s suffered a setback.

“All I can tell you is that it flared back up and some swelling presented itself,’’ said Farrell. “We know he’s dealing with a cartilage issue. We know we’ve got some work to do (to find a solution). The important thing for Pedey is to get as much information to him as we can to allow him to get his arms around this further.’’

With Pedroia out, the Sox had Eduardo Nunez at second. Farrell said Nunez and Brock Holt would handle the playing time while Pedroia is sidelined.