Red Sox Journal: Recurring knee pain shelves Pedroia again

HOUSTON — Two Red Sox infielders left Double-A Portland on Friday night and headed in different directions.

Dustin Pedroia (left knee) was on his way back to Boston to await further evaluation by club medical staff on Monday. Brock Holt (right shoulder) was bound for a Saturday flight to Houston and a reunion with his teammates at Minute Maid Park.

Pedroia suffered another setback on his latest rehab assignment, removed from [...]

HOUSTON — Two Red Sox infielders left Double-A Portland on Friday night and headed in different directions.

Dustin Pedroia (left knee) was on his way back to Boston to await further evaluation by club medical staff on Monday. Brock Holt (right shoulder) was bound for a Saturday flight to Houston and a reunion with his teammates at Minute Maid Park.

Pedroia suffered another setback on his latest rehab assignment, removed from Friday’s game due to recurring soreness. He was 0-for-2 at the plate and playing second base when he removed himself from the game. Pedroia was shut down for the weekend and faces further testing early next week.

“It’s another red flag,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “We talked a little bit last night. We talked this morning. He didn’t feel right yesterday. He’s not going to push it. He’s not going to make it worse. Yesterday he didn’t feel right, so he decided to stop playing.”

Pedroia appeared in six games, starting with his May 17 start for Triple-A Pawtucket against Gwinnett. He was 3-for-21 with one walk and six strikeouts in limited action. His lone extra-base hit at any level this season came for Class-A Greenville on April 4.

“This morning he didn’t feel great,” Cora said. “It’s probably like the last time — see where we’re at. Whatever they decide to check, they’ll do it and we’ll go from there.”

Holt could be activated for Sunday’s series finale with the Astros or during the three-game home series with the Indians beginning on Monday. His six-game hitting streak was snapped on Friday with the Sea Dogs, as he went 0-for-2 and drew a walk. Holt has consistently been able to play shortstop and should reprise his utility role when he’s eventually activated by the Red Sox.

“We’re going to take a look at him and see what we decide,” Cora said. “It might be tomorrow. It might be Monday. It might be Tuesday. He’s going to be around us.”

Martinez out again

J.D. Martinez (back tightness) was out of the lineup for the fifth time in six games on Saturday.

The slugger missed the entire four-game series with the Blue Jays before going 0-for-3 with a walk in Friday’s opener against Houston. Cora expects Martinez to return to the lineup on Sunday. The manager also could rest shortstop Xander Bogaerts on that day.

“He’s OK,” Cora said. “I talked to him today. I said, ‘You’re going to play one of the two.’ Xander is most likely not playing tomorrow. Play tomorrow, get today off — he was OK with it.”

Frequent off days were something Cora employed last season while the club was on its way to a record 108 wins. Starting just 27-24 this season hasn’t deterred Cora from sticking to the same philosophy regarding player management.

“We’ve got quality players from the superstar player all the way to the utility guy,” Cora said. “Everybody has to contribute. For this to happen, everybody has to do their job. Off days are part of it.”

Making progress

Nathan Eovaldi (right elbow) continues to make strong progress toward a return.

Eovaldi threw his latest bullpen session prior to Saturday’s game with the Astros and experienced no setbacks. Cora said Eovaldi’s next test is likely a simulated game at some point early next week.

“Like I’ve been saying all along, this guy, physically, is on another level,” Cora said. “He threw all his pitches — breaking, split, cutter, fastball — and it was fun to watch.”

Eovaldi hasn’t pitched in a game since April 17 against the Yankees. He required eight weeks to return last season when he underwent a similar arthroscopic procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow while a member of the Rays.

“I don’t know if we’ll send him somewhere or if we’ll do a simulated game here, but his next one is probably more than one inning,” Cora said. “He looked great.”

Injured Astro

Houston placed a second star on the injured list on Saturday.

George Springer (left hamstring) joined Jose Altuve (left hamstring) after leaving Friday’s game in the eighth inning. The leadoff man entered Friday’s game atop the American League in total bases, home runs and runs batted in.

Springer was playing right field and made a long run for a foul ball down the line in the top of the eighth. He slid on the warning track, grabbed for the back of his left leg and eventually called out team medical staff. Springer walked slowly to the home dugout, tossing his glove away in frustration while being replaced by Tony Kemp.

— bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25