Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia unlikely to make 2020 return
Boston Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke held a conference call on Tuesday where he covered several topics, one of which was the health of Dustin Pedroia.
Interim Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke spoke with the media yesterday and gave an update on several topics that were put on hold when spring training was shut down. He gave updates on not only the team but where he feels things may go as far as a 2020 season is concerned. One of the players that Roenicke spoke about was long-time Boston second baseman, Dustin Pedroia.
By this point, we all know Pedroia’s story and may have some guesses on what could be next. Obviously, nobody has the right to tell Dustin what to do with his body and career, and I’ll only speak for myself here, I enjoy seeing Dustin Pedroia the dad. As much as I loved him as a ballplayer, hearing the few stories he’s told about being with his family are refreshing.
For the better part of the last three years, all we’ve heard about Dustin was in relation to his left knee. There was the initial injury stemming from a questionable slide by Manny Machado, and then came the surgeries. Pedey has gone under the knife a few teams over the past few seasons with nothing truly curing what ails him.
Though he’s given everything he has towards surgery, rehab, and comebacks, Red Sox Nation has only seen Pedroia take the field nine times since the end of 2017. This past winter was no different, another offseason with a procedure and rehab with the target of a return in 2020. Sadly, he suffered another setback in his recovery and now it seems like the comeback won’t be made complete.
Obviously, something could always happen and with a delayed season the timelines could match up perfectly. Dustin could hit that perfect stretch of rehab and rest that sees his knee finally take to all of the procedures it’s gone through. I would love to see Dustin healthy and back in a Red Sox uniform, but with each passing week, it feels less and less likely.
Roenicke recently spoke with Pedey via text to check in and see how the veteran infielder is doing. In these incredibly uncertain times, it’s nice to hear something even close to good news, as Pedroia and his family are happy and healthy.
"“He’s doing well with the family,” Roenicke said. “I don’t want to speak for him, but he’s still not at a point where he’s thinking about trying to be ready to come back and join us.”"
Pedey’s most recent hiccup on the road to recovery kept him from joining the team in Fort. Myers this spring. That absence opened the door for recent signee Jose Peraza and sophomore sensation Michael Chavis, both with their eyes on the second base prize. With it highly unlikely that we see Dustin return to his post in 2020, the position is theirs for the taking when the season gets underway.
When all is said and done, Pedroia will go down as one of if not the greatest second baseman in Red Sox history. The Lasershow won the ROTY in 2007, AL MVP in 2008, 2007 & 2013 World Series, and has several Gold Glove and All-Star titles to his name. The injury to his knee definitely derailed what would’ve been a Hall of Fame career. Unfortunately, what was going to be an extraordinary career may only be remembered as very good.
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"“He said he’s ‘Mr. Mom’ now, going to the store now and doing the shopping for the family,” Roenicke said. “I know that’s not very comfortable because I’ve been to the store a couple times. It’s actually really stressful. But I think where he is in his career with his family, I think he’s just trying to make sure everybody’s healthy now, taking care of his family.”"
Pedroia is under contract with the Red Sox through the 2021 season so even if we don’t see him in whatever this season may be, there’s always the chance for next year. We’ve always used the idea of ‘next year’ as a beacon of hope, that might be the best thing to associate with Dustin. He’s given everything that he’s ever had to Red Sox Nation, and if this is it, then so be it. Pedey has more than earned every penny he’s been paid and has earned the right to ride off into the sunset
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None of us know exactly what this season may look like especially with the rumored ideas seemingly changing every day. One thing that seems certain is that we won’t be seeing Dustin Pedroia at Fenway Park anytime soon. I can’t argue with someone wanting to not only take care of themselves but also take care of their family. Some things just seem bigger than baseball, and this feels like one of those things.