BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 13: Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 13, 2018 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
Former American League MVP says he will take time away from the game to evaluate the condition of his knee.
Legendary Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia told reporters on Monday afternoon that he was “not sure” if he’ll ever play again because of continuing knee problems.
Pedroia and the Red Sox held a press conference Monday after the team put Pedroia on the 60-day injured list. That happened prior to the Red Sox taking on Cleveland at Fenway Park.
“(I am) at a point right now where I need some time,” said Pedroia, who has been hampered with knee problems since 2017. “That’s what my status is. … Right now I know I need a break from the everyday stresses I’ve been dealing with.
“I’m going to go home for a little bit to be with my family, kind of get away for a little bit and then we’ll figure it out from there.”
Pedroia played in six games this season, hitting .100 in 20 at-bats, before going on the 10-day injured list initially. He tried to rehab in the minors, but suffered a setback earlier this month that put he and the Red Sox in this situation. He played in only three games in 2018 and 105 games in 2017. He has played more than 135 games only once in the past six years, including this season.
For a five-year stretch from 2008 to 2012, Pedroia was one of the most dominant middle infielders in the majory. His most dominant season was 2008, when he was the AL MVP after hitting .326 with a league-leading 213 hits and 118 runs scored. He also had 17 home runs and 83 RBI.
If this is the end of his career, Pedroia will retire with 1,805 hits and a career .299 average.