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Pedroia did not play versus the Yankees on Monday, but other than joking about what ailed him -- "What's wrong with me? A lot of things. I'm [expletive] up in the head" -- he did not discuss the injury before the Red Sox's 10-2 loss, and neither did manager Bobby Valentine, other than to say Pedroia had gotten hurt the day before.
But after Monday night's loss, the Red Sox announced that Pedroia had an avulsion fracture of the ring finger of his left hand. The injury is expected to heal without surgery.
The Sox had indicated that Pedroia's season was over, but Pedroia, while confirming that his finger is broken, said in a text message late Monday night that he wasn't ready to rule out playing, saying he'd see how it felt Tuesday and "try to get out there."
Pedroia's season was hampered by multiple injuries to his right thumb. On May 28, he tore the adductor muscle in his right thumb. He did not go on the DL, although he missed seven games and his performance at the plate suffered noticeably. Then, on July 3, he hyperextended the same thumb while diving for a ball in Oakland and was placed on the disabled list. There had been concern that he would miss considerable time with the injury, but he returned after just 15 days.
ESPNBoston | Dustin Pedroia has broken finger
Yet another contrast in characters, as Dustin Pedroia is trying to play through a broken finger while Jacoby Ellsbury continues to miss time for no given reason.
Pedroia does concern me long-term. Some studies have indicated that second basemen wear down more quickly than other positions (maybe because of collisions at 2nd?). He's already starting to fall apart and he's only 29. He's averaged 137 games a year over his full six-year career, and just 124 over the last three years. By comparison, JD Drew averaged 121 games a year during his Red Sox career (during which he was much older), and people ran him out of town for being made of glass.
This isn't to trash Pedroia. He's one of the few guys left on the team who I like. He plays hard and he's still a very good player. But if you're expecting a Jeter-like career out of him -- 10 more years, first-ballot HOF, number hanging in right field -- it might be time to pump the brakes. Can he stay healthy long enough to put together the career that seems to be in play? It's a big question.
Last, congratulations to the AL's playoff teams, as last night Oakland wrapped up a Wild Card spot. Hey Rays: Enjoy golfing. I'm sure any of your friends on the Sox will be available to join you.
ESPNBoston | Sox need Big Papi more than ever | David Ortiz unfazed by manager talk | Globe | Sox present a minor test | Yankees may not have to worry about wild finish | Dustin Pedroia to miss last two games with finger injury | CSNNE | Pedroia has fractured finger, won't play final 2 games | Not the ending Buchholz, or Red Sox, wanted | Grand finale a bad joke | Buchholz, Sox stink | Pedey's season comes to close | Thumbs-up on Bailey for next season
Pedroia did not play versus the Yankees on Monday, but other than joking about what ailed him -- "What's wrong with me? A lot of things. I'm [expletive] up in the head" -- he did not discuss the injury before the Red Sox's 10-2 loss, and neither did manager Bobby Valentine, other than to say Pedroia had gotten hurt the day before.
But after Monday night's loss, the Red Sox announced that Pedroia had an avulsion fracture of the ring finger of his left hand. The injury is expected to heal without surgery.
The Sox had indicated that Pedroia's season was over, but Pedroia, while confirming that his finger is broken, said in a text message late Monday night that he wasn't ready to rule out playing, saying he'd see how it felt Tuesday and "try to get out there."
Pedroia's season was hampered by multiple injuries to his right thumb. On May 28, he tore the adductor muscle in his right thumb. He did not go on the DL, although he missed seven games and his performance at the plate suffered noticeably. Then, on July 3, he hyperextended the same thumb while diving for a ball in Oakland and was placed on the disabled list. There had been concern that he would miss considerable time with the injury, but he returned after just 15 days.
ESPNBoston | Dustin Pedroia has broken finger
Yet another contrast in characters, as Dustin Pedroia is trying to play through a broken finger while Jacoby Ellsbury continues to miss time for no given reason.
Pedroia does concern me long-term. Some studies have indicated that second basemen wear down more quickly than other positions (maybe because of collisions at 2nd?). He's already starting to fall apart and he's only 29. He's averaged 137 games a year over his full six-year career, and just 124 over the last three years. By comparison, JD Drew averaged 121 games a year during his Red Sox career (during which he was much older), and people ran him out of town for being made of glass.
This isn't to trash Pedroia. He's one of the few guys left on the team who I like. He plays hard and he's still a very good player. But if you're expecting a Jeter-like career out of him -- 10 more years, first-ballot HOF, number hanging in right field -- it might be time to pump the brakes. Can he stay healthy long enough to put together the career that seems to be in play? It's a big question.
Last, congratulations to the AL's playoff teams, as last night Oakland wrapped up a Wild Card spot. Hey Rays: Enjoy golfing. I'm sure any of your friends on the Sox will be available to join you.
ESPNBoston | Sox need Big Papi more than ever | David Ortiz unfazed by manager talk | Globe | Sox present a minor test | Yankees may not have to worry about wild finish | Dustin Pedroia to miss last two games with finger injury | CSNNE | Pedroia has fractured finger, won't play final 2 games | Not the ending Buchholz, or Red Sox, wanted | Grand finale a bad joke | Buchholz, Sox stink | Pedey's season comes to close | Thumbs-up on Bailey for next season
