As if the 2010 Red Sox campaign hasn’t been frustrating enough for everyone involved with the organization, now there is more concern win Dustin Pedroia‘s injured foot. After coming off the DL on Tuesday, Pedroia went 0-4 that night and 1-3 on Wednesday night, but ‘ran’ into an issue as he successfully stole 2nd base. The next day, Thursday, Pedroia felt extremely sore and was scratched from the lineup for the 1st time. Now that Pedroia has been out of the lineup for 2 nights, there is a concern about a potential setback for the Red Sox energy-packed 2nd baseman.
This season has had no shortage of injuries and setbacks, which is certainly one of the reasons why the Sox find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the post season. If Pedroia is forced to miss more time due to his foot, it will basically end the Sox season, both emotionally and physically. The team has had to fight through adversity in many forms throughout the year and despite the tough character of the club, there is only so much that can be overcome before the constant pressure of needing to win collapses a group of players.
Now we don’t yet know if Pedroia has actually had a setback or if he just needs a few days to recover, but it doesn’t sound as if he will be able to play daily even once he is deemed fit to play once again and depending on the results of these next 2 series, the Sox may opt to shut him down for the remainder of the year anyways. The team trainers and management have historically always aired on the side of caution to protect their investment in young talent. Pedroia certainly will be handled cautiously, even though if he had his way, he would play regardless, even in a boot or on crutches.
Pedroia’s continued injury may just be a omen that the 2010 post season was just not meant to be. I have not given up hope just yet, but do think there comes a time when too much adversity is just too much to handle, even for the best of guys. Friday night marks the 122nd game of the season for the Sox and although they still hold out hope, time is definitely not on their side. The longer they stay in this race, the harder it will be once (if) they eventually get eliminated. Brace yourself for a long off-season of speculation and restructuring for 2011, because there are many major decisions to be made by Theo and the gang, but for now, there are still 40 more to go.
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