The Red Sox, as anticipated, have placed second baseman Dustin Pedroia on the disabled list with a thumb injury. However, it's not because of the thumb-muscle injury that's sapped his production in recent weeks. Rather, it's because of a hyperextension that he suffered while playing in the field on July 3.
The team says Pedroia will not require surgery but will undergo a "brief period of immobilization" -- two weeks, according to a Gordon Edes tweet. As for Pedroia's previous, unrelated thumb injury, an MRI showed that injury to be completely healed.
On the season, Pedroia is hitting .266/.326/.400 with six home runs and six stolen bases. His numbers have been on a steady downward track since the middle of May, so the time to heal will likely serve him well.
In Pedroia's absence, Nick Punto will likely see regular duty at second base.
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