Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia underwent surgery on his left knee on Wednesday. The club announced that the arthroscopy procedure, done to repair an injury apparently suffered against the Toronto Blue Jays in early September, was a success, and that Pedroia should be ready for 2017 Spring Training. The team disclosed last month that Pedroia had been dealing with knee soreness and was receiving treatment, but the extent of the injury was unknown until now.
2B Dustin Pedroia underwent successful surgery yesterday: https://t.co/pn6IHrtXu2 pic.twitter.com/9AkGNKumP8
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) October 13, 2016
Pedroia Knee Surgery Successful
The scrappy second baseman is famed for his grit. He has been known to play through injury often, and seems to need surgery for one reason or another most offseasons. This year, it seems, was no different. Despite injuring his knee early last month, Pedroia played almost every game in September and three playoff games in October.
The 2016 season marked the first time in several years that Pedroia came into Opening Day completely healthy. He had been dealing with hand and wrist injuries more much of the previous two seasons, which sapped him of his power. This season, he played in 154 games, his highest total since 2013, and had perhaps his finest offensive campaign since 2008, when he won the American League MVP award. He finished the regular season with a .318 batting average, 15 home runs, and 74 RBI. He also recorded 201 total hits and scored 105 runs.
Boston will be looking to Pedroia to lead its young team going forward. While he has long been a leader in the clubhouse, he is now the longest-tenured member of the Red Sox. That distinction had previously been held by designated hitter David Ortiz. In the wake of Ortiz’s retirement from Major League Baseball, this is now truly Pedroia’s team to lead. It will be difficult to fill the void left by the presence of Ortiz, but if any player can do it, Pedroia can.
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