Dustin Pedroia injury setback puts future in question

Dustin Pedroia, the Boston Red Sox second baseman trying to return from a knee injury, has suffered a “significant setback” in his effort to return to action, per Peter Abraham. Abraham says Pedroia’s availability for spring training is “questionable,” and Pedroia is evaluating his options.

That’s ominous news for the 36 year old former American League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player, who has played just 9 games in the past two seasons combined due to injuries. Pedroia began to be slowed in 2017, when he had multiple injured list stints and played just 105 games, with surgery on his knee taking place after the season. After being dogged by pain and inflammation in his knee during both 2018 and 2019, he had another surgery in August, 2019, which he has been working his way back from.

It seems likely that Pedroia may have played his final game in the majors. A four time All Star and four time Gold Glover who was a key part of two World Series Championship teams with the Red Sox, he will present an interesting case for Hall of Fame voters in 2025, should he decide to hang them up.