TORONTODustin Pedroia worked at second base during Red Sox batting practice Saturday in Toronto, then took a full turn in the cage.
He looked good, said manager Bobby Valentine. So, its not 30 days, thats for sure.
Pedroia has not appeared in game since leaving Mondays game after the fifth inning. He was diagnosed with a tear in his right thumb abductor muscle. Pedroia said the injury did not occur in Mondays game, but happened in an at-bat three weeks previously after getting jammed. It was exacerbated Monday when he was jammed in his last at-bat.
He took ground balls at second base for the first time Friday, and again Saturday.
Saturdays BP session was his first time hitting. Valentine, batting coach Dave Magadan, trainer Rick Jameyson, and Sox director of minor league operations Zach Scott, representing the team on the trip, were among those looking on, with bench coach Tim Bogar throwing BP.
Pedroia and Jameyson conferred after several of his batting practice rounds.
Pedroia used a thumb guard under his batting gloves to hit, but worked without a guard in the field.
Boston Red Sox
Earlier in the day, Valentine said the decision whether or not to place Pedroia on the disabled list has still not been made. The team prefers to wait to see how he gets through this weekend and reevaluate.
Valentine said Pedroia will likely take BP again before Sundays series finale in Toronto, and Monday, too, I bet. The Sox have a scheduled off day Monday.
The Sox are 3-1 in Pedroias absence from the lineup.