BOSTON -- Dustin Pedroia was eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Thursday, and he'll be in the Red Sox starting lineup, hitting third and starting at second base.
It will be his first game since July 3.
"I'm excited, man. I can't wait to get out there and play again," said Pedroia before the game. "Hopefully I'll bring a lot of energy to the team, and hopefully we get on a big run here.
"I feel great, I feel great," he added. "The thumb problems the last few months have healed. And I'm ready to get out there and play ball."
And needless to say, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine is thrilled to have him back in the lineup.
"I'm anxious to see him out on the diamond," said Valentine. "I've seen him running around the dugout the last couple of weeks, and he looks a little out of place, and Im sure hell look really in place once hes standing between first and second.
"He gets a little frustrated by not playing, actually, and Im glad were going to turn that page. He tries to do a lot of things and you just can't do it when you're not playing."