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FORT MYERS, Florida – Dustin Pedroia's goal is not just to come back from his knee injury.
He has already done it before.
The challenge for Boston's second baseman is this time to come back at the right time, stay longer than three games and help the Red Sox return to the World Series with his game, instead of cheering them on the dugout . .
"The human body is on its own program, man," said Pedroia after working with the other infielders on Thursday, a day before the defending champions opened their show program against Northeastern University.
Nick Cafardo, a long – time writer at the Boston Globe, died after collapsing at the Red Sox 's spring training stadium.
The Red Sox, champions of the World Series, are not the favorites to win the AL East this season. This honor belongs to the Yankees.
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"I'm trying to come back, whenever it's, that's it," he says. "Obviously, I want to play and come back there, but I've played a lot of games, I understand the speed of the game and what it takes to play, we want to make sure my knee okay. "
On four occasions he underwent left knee surgery after the 2017 season and started last year on the list of people with reduced mobility. He returned in May, but only played three games before returning to the DL and spending the rest of the season there.
"My knee could not handle the load," he said on Thursday. "When you do something too early, your body will say" stop. "That's what happened."
Pedroia was part of the team for his series on the World Series – the third title of his career – and his manager, Alex Cora, congratulated him for his leadership on the bench. Pedroia talked about being able to enjoy the series more than when he was so focused on the game.
But during the off season, he turned his attention to the rehabilitation of his knee.
During the winter, Cora informed the journalists of the texts he had received from Pedroia – videos of his training, as well as other updates on the state of progress. works – portraying the portrait of a guy eager to prove that he would be ready. The Red Sox coach said that if Pedroia succeeds, he will tackle the first day.
But if Cora's goal was to motivate the 35-year-old, he would not need to bother.
"I know he's always asked for more, he'll try to get five more." [practice repetitions]and 10 others. And "I can sprint here and go," said Cora. There is something that says I tell him "no", he gets it. "
Instead, the team tries to control the return and avoid a repetition of the false start of last year. Cora said the question was not whether Pedroia could get through a workout session similar to that of Thursday, but how his knee was reacting on Friday.
"I'm not trying to be too excited," said Pedroia. "I was really happy after the first game I played last year and three days later it was pretty bad."
Cora said that Pedroia should not play in Friday's exhibition match against Northeastern nor in the first match of the Grapefruit League against the New York Yankees Saturday. (Many other veterans and everyday players who do not need the spring wand to get in shape or try to find a place on the team.)
"We take care of him," Cora said. "You asked me how he felt, well, I'll tell you tomorrow, because he can run and do everything tomorrow is a great day." "He can show up tomorrow and that there is no pain, no pain, it's a victory for him … and obviously it's a win for us. "
Also on Thursday, reliever Ryan Brasier returned to Florida after being examined for his infected right little toe in Boston. Although Brasier is running for this more restricted position since the departure of Craig Kimbrel as a free agent, Cora said the infection had not yet hindered his schedule to prepare for the season.
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