Pedroia's balky knee forces second DL stint

NEW YORK — As expected, Dustin Pedroia was placed on the 10-day disabled list Saturday morning, still battling inflammation of the left knee.

This marks Pedroia's second trip to the DL in the last few weeks. He was first placed on the DL on Aug. 1, retroactive to July 29, with the same knee issue. Pedroia was activated last Tuesday and returned to the Red Sox lineup that night at Tropicana Field, serving as the Red Sox' DH. He was held out Wednesday, with the Sox not wanting him to play on the artificial playing surface at Tropicana Field so soon after returning to action.

But following an off-day in the schedule Thursday, he was unable to play Friday night, reporting swelling and inflammation in the knee.

"We've just got to try to find a way to manage it and get through it,'' said Pedroia. "We're doing everything we can to try to get better and be out there.''

Asked if he expected to play again this season, Pedroia said: "Yeah. That's what we're hoping for. That's what we're working toward.''

Pedroia understood that there was the chance of a setback when he returned from the first DL stint.

"I was told that was a possibility, how it could respond,'' said Pedroia. "We've got to try to find to get through it and stay positive and let some things kind of calm down and heal a little bit. Once that happens, get back out there and go. It's always tough for me to not be able to be out there and help us in any way. We've got to try to deal with it the best we can and do something else to help us win.'

"We're always trying (to come up with methods to help heal it). I think the best thing is right now is kind of rest and let it clam down. I know it's the wrong time for that. But it's the situation in. Once we calm down, I'll be out there as fast as I can.''

It's unknown how long he may be out this time, with seven weeks remaining in the season. The Sox don't believe he'll require a surgical procedure -- he underwent one last winter -- but can't offer a prognosis for his return. It was thought that rest would improve the condition, but that proved to not be the case this week.

"There's nothing that we have right now to suggest that he won't be back to us,'' said John Farrell. "There's been no talk of any kind of other procedure or anything similar to what he had last off-season. Obviously, the irritation returned and he needs more time at this point.''

Pedroia is hopeful that he doesn't have to undergo another procedure -- in-season, or after the season.

"We're trying to find ways to get around (surgery),'' he said.

The move is retroactive to Wednesday, Aug. 9, making Pedroia eligible to come off the DL on Aug. 19. In Pedroia's absence it's expected that Eduardo Nunez will get the majority of the playing time at second, with Brock Holt also contributing. But Pedroia will be missed.

"He's one of the leaders of our team, both in the clubhouse and in-between the lines,'' Farrell said. "You have that type of player, an All-Star caliber player, in the middle of the diamond...those are difficult to replace and that's not to take anything away from Eduardo and the work he's put in. But Pedey, we're talking a Gold Glove second baseman, a guy that was on pace to have one of his better RBI seasons. So yeah, we miss him. We're looking forward to the day he returns.''

To take Pedroia's spot on the roster, the Red Sox recalled lefty reliever Robby Scott, who gives the Sox a second lefthanded option in the bullpen against the Yankees.