Red Sox Journal: Pedroia rests knee in Yankee Stadium opener

NEW YORK — Dustin Pedroia’s return to the 25-man roster means some personnel juggling for the Red Sox.

Boston will be forced to accommodate Pedroia’s balky left knee with regular rest and the occasional game serving as the designated hitter. He was out of the lineup on Tuesday night as the Red Sox opened a two-game series with New York at Yankee Stadium.

“There’s no issue,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. [...]

NEW YORK — Dustin Pedroia’s return to the 25-man roster means some personnel juggling for the Red Sox.

Boston will be forced to accommodate Pedroia’s balky left knee with regular rest and the occasional game serving as the designated hitter. He was out of the lineup on Tuesday night as the Red Sox opened a two-game series with New York at Yankee Stadium.

“There’s no issue,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Today was just a shutdown. I wasn’t going to use him today. We pushed him hard for a few days.”

Eduardo Nunez returned at second base after experiencing some back stiffness on Monday. Jackie Bradley Jr. was also recovered from a bout with the flu and roaming center field. Andrew Benintendi missed his third straight game but was available to pinch-hit after suffering a right foot contusion on a Saturday foul ball.

“The real key for Dustin is when he plays days in a row,” Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. “Part of the plan is not at that point. As time goes on, it’s apparent he can handle the short-term.”

Pedroia has scuffled at the plate in the early going, slashing .105/.150/.105 (batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage) through five games. He has a pair of singles to his credit in 20 plate appearances but has played error-free defense. Entering Tuesday night's game, Boston was carrying 12 position players as opposed to 13 a year ago, an extra spot that allowed the Red Sox to keep a largely unused Blake Swihart for six months.

“We can use [Pedroia] late in games,” Cora said. “Like today, he’s available. Avoiding having him go seven or eight (innings) out there, that’s what we’re trying to accomplish. We have to take care of him.”

“We really are in a spot the way we’re going right now where we prefer to carry 13 (pitchers),” Dombrowski said. “It’s a difficult spot to carry (Swihart). We don’t have room, really, to carry another guy.”

Injury updates

Brock Holt (right eye) began a rehab assignment on Tuesday night with Triple-A Pawtucket, going 0-for-2 in the opening half of a doubleheader with Buffalo at McCoy Stadium.

Holt suffered a scratched cornea prior to Opening Day at Seattle and was ultimately placed on the injured list. He could be activated as early as this weekend’s three-game series at Tampa Bay.

“You can say you have 20/20 vision just walking around the streets and going to the mall and all that,” Cora said. “To hit elite pitching and play at this level, your eyesight has to be there.”

Brian Johnson (left elbow) is receiving treatment in Boston. There is no current timetable for his return and he’s yet to resume baseball activities.

It's worse in NYC

Any Red Sox injury problems are minor compared to what the Yankees are suffering through.

New York placed a 12th player on the injured list on Tuesday, as first baseman Greg Bird (left plantar fascia tear) joins a host of teammates out of action. The Yankees have what could be more than half of their best starting lineup on the shelf with shortstop Didi Gregorius (right elbow), center fielder Aaron Hicks (back strain), designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (left biceps), third baseman Miguel Andujar (right shoulder) and catcher Gary Sanchez (left calf) all out of action.

New York’s pitching staff has also been shorthanded early. Ace right-hander Luis Severino (right shoulder) and premium reliever Dellin Betances (right shoulder) have yet to work this season.

— bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25