FORT MYERS, Fla. -- A familiar presence roamed the back fields at Fenway South Saturday. Former Red Sox infielder Dustin Pedroia, his three sons in tow, returned for a weekend visit.
"We're going to make a conscious effort to have him around as much as possible,'' said Alex Cora of Pedroia. "He'll go home on Monday, but whenever a guy like that comes here, it's always a joy for everybody -- especially with him. From our end, we want to pick his brain, for guys to talk to him. I know there's a lot of guys questioning our leadership in the clubhouse, well, bringing in a guy like that is going to help us, right? He led by example. There's a reason he's limping around, because he gave everything to this franchise and having guys like that, talking to people here, letting people know how we do things here, how it was a few years ago, (is valuable).''
Pedroia, who officially retired in 2021 and last played more than a handful of games in 2017, toured several back fields Saturday, conferred with both Cora and general manager Brian O'Halloran, and also chatted with a handful of players.
"Alex wanted me to come (to camp) this spring,'' said Pedroia, "and this was actually the only weekend I have open. The boys have sports tournaments and all kinds of stuff. It's fun to see some of the guys and see everybody.''
Pedroia conceded that he still misses the game, but that being a full-time father and part-time baseball coach has given his post-retirement life some purpose. When Cora asked him to visit, Pedroia was eager to do so, as he feels a loyalty and obligation to the manager for all the help he provided when Pedroia was breaking into the big leagues in 2006-2007.
"Obviously, I'll do anything for Alex, for what he meant to me and my career,'' said Cora, "the way he helped me and the things he taught me. So if he asks, I'm there. But as far as a major role in the organization, I'm not there yet. My kids are young, so I'm still focused on them and helping them out before I jump into anything like that.''
Pedroia watches most games from his home in Arizona and is in regular contact with Cora. When asked, he's happy to provide outreach to potential free-agent targets. He did so with Trevor Story last offseason and, more recently, new DH Justin Turner.
For the most part, Pedroia has come to accept the end of his career. He had several procedures done on the left knee and gave it several tries, but there came a point where he knew he couldn't physically do what he needed to do.
But there at times, he conceded, that he feels cheated at not being able to play longer.
"You're always going to have that,'' he said. "It would be easier to know if I was not good and, hey, it's time to do something else. So (some resentment) will always stay with me. That's the only tough part that I have. I still deal with that. When I take ground balls with my (kid's 11-U team), the kids are like, 'Why aren't you still playing?' and I'm like, 'Well, tomorrow, I want to be able to walk.' I can still do it, but I can't do it every day. And that's the sport.
"I can't run, but who wants to run anyway? My life's good. I can go golf. I just won't be doing it four days in a row. That's the thing -- I still have to think about the things that I do because the next day will be tough. But other than that, I'm good.''
Pedroia will be around the team again during the season. He might work with a particular prospect, like second baseman Nick Yorke, a former No. 1 pick. Or, anything else the organization asks of him.
"Whatever they want me to do, obviously I'm here for them,'' he said. "It doesn't matter. I could help with a minor league guy. I could do a lot of jobs.''
Cora, who grew up in a Los Angeles Dodgers organization that valued having alumni around the team, enjoys having former players around for instruction and feedback. Dwight Evans and Jim Rice are here as spring training instructors, and Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz will visit later in camp.
He made it clear that Pedroia is welcome any time.
"Little by little, he'll keep showing up and helping us out,'' said Cora. "He knows the game. He understands the game and he's not far (removed) from it. It's always good for him to be around and we'll see what happens in the future.''
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Brayan Bello, who was shut down earlier in the week after experiencing some tightness in his right forearm, is progressing nicely and expects to resume throwing Monday.
"I feel much better right now,'' said Bello. "We're working really hard to get ready. I feel very anxious, I just want Monday to come. I feel better right now, I feel like I can throw.''
Bello believes some of the tightness may have been the result of throwing a full arsenal of breaking pitches for the first time. He said he had never before experienced a similar tightness.
"It's the first time I've felt something like this,'' he said, before adding, "I don't feel it's anything (serious) going on. I'm not worried about it.''
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Chris Sale threw his second bullpen and was mindful of the new pitch clock as he threw. "Mechanics are sound, the stuff is good and now we can add (other elements),'' said Cora. "When you don't have to spend too much time on mechanics, that means he's in a good spot. Tuesday, he'll have an up-and-down and everything goes well, live BP is the next one.''...Adalberto Mondesi is hitting in the cage and taking ground balls, and has begun a light running progression. "Most of (his time is spent on) treatment,'' said Cora, ''but at least he's doing certain baseball activities,'' Cora said there's no timetable for when Mondesi might be cleared to take part in Grapefruit League games. From the sounds of it, there's virtually no chance he's part of the Opening Day roster.