RED SOX NOTEBOOK: Good news for Steven Wright

RED SOX NOTEBOOK: Good news for Steven Wright

WASHINGTON --- Monday brought mixed results for a pair of Red Sox meeting with their surgeon in New York.

Steven Wright and Dustin Pedroia remained behind while their teammates traveled from Manhattan to Nationals Park for the second leg of the three-city road trip. Both were due for a consult with Dr. Riley Williams III, who performed a cartilage-restoration procedure on each of their respective left knees.

The news was better for Wright, as the knuckleballer received a platelet-rich plasma injection in the knee. It was similar to the injection Wright received during spring training, and he’s expected to rejoin Boston here at some point over the next two days.

“Everything points to him being fine,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Yesterday he threw a short bullpen in New York, so things are trending in the right direction.”

Wright (left knee inflammation) was placed on the disabled list last Tuesday, but he’s been able to continue his throwing program by playing catch before several games in the interim. Sundaymarked the first time Wright was back on the mound, and Cora left the door open for his activation before the All-Star break in two weeks.

“Yesterday was a big step for him to get on the mound, and what they did today,” Cora said. “I’m not saying it’s 100 percent, but there might be a chance.”

Pedroia (left knee inflammation) will remain in New York throughout the week, undergoing close observation at Williams’ office while being put through a battery of physical activities. He’s been on the disabled list since June 2 and has yet to resume baseball activities. Boston is hopeful Williams can design a specific plan for Pedroia to work his way back onto the field in the near future.

“He’s there with the doctor, and the doctor can see everything that he can do,” Cora said. “They can identify what he can do or cannot do or what we should do as far as treatment. I think that’s great. Dustin he’s okay with it spending time there and seeing what’s going on.”

Roster changes: The Red Sox made a trio of roster moves ahead of the series with Washington.

Right-handed pitcher William Cuevas was added to the 40-man roster and promoted from Triple-A Pawtucket, with fellow right-hander Justin Haley the corresponding move. Cuevas was designated for assignment in 2016 but passed through waivers and landed with the PawSox. He’s allowed less than three earned runs in five of his last seven starts, pitching at least into the seventh inning each time.

Haley was taxed during a pair of blowout losses to the Yankees, throwing 42 pitches both Friday and Sunday nights. Boston dropped those two games by a combined count of 19-2, losing the series and its lead in the American League East.

“Haley, he had to come in,” Cora said. “(Cuevas will) be here for that reason. He’s been throwing the ball well, too, which is very important.”

To open a 40-man spot for Cuevas, Carson Smith (right shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. He underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum on June 13 and is done for the season.

Martinez sits: J.D. Martinez was the odd man out in Monday’s series opener, given an off day due to the absence of the designated hitter in the National League park.

“Like I said, he’s going to play two out of three here,” Cora said. “Just talking to him, he didn’t want to get two off days in a row on Wednesday and Thursday.”

Rick Porcello pitched and batted in the No. 9 spot, with Cora mindful of the challenge his offense faced against Washington ace Max Scherzer. It was the first time the Red Sox went into a game without the extra hitter since April 3 at Miami, a 4-2 victory in 13 innings started by college two-way star Brian Johnson.

“We have some good hitters on the bench, and we have to do what we have to do,” Cora said. “It would be good for (Porcello) to go 0-for-4. I’ll take that. If he goes 0-for-4 that means we’re in a good spot.” 

Porcello didn't go 0-for-4. He smacked a three-run double in the second inning.

bkoch@providencejournal.com. On Twitter: @BillKoch25