BOSTON -- Red Sox super-utility player Brock Holt (scratched right cornea) is eligible to come off the injured list on Wednesday. However, it is more likely he will start a brief Minor League rehab assignment around that time.
Holt suffered the injury accidentally when his 2-year-old son, Griff, scratched him in the eye during Boston’s season-opening road trip.
“He’s going to see the doctor on Tuesday,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “If everything goes well, then we’ll make a decision. Obviously he needs to get at-bats [in the Minors]. I don’t know how many, but he will need at-bats. We’ve got to take this seriously.
“At this level, you’ve got to be able to see the ball, and you’ve got to be able to recognize spin and all that stuff. We’ll be very cautious with him and whenever he’s ready, he’s ready. But we’ve got to be careful with that.”
Though Holt is a reserve, he is invaluable to the Red Sox because of his ability to play every position but pitcher and catcher.
Meanwhile, it is still slow going for Boston’s other player on the injured list, lefty Brian Johnson (left elbow inflammation).
“Just rehab, getting treatment,” Cora said. “Most likely, he’ll stay back for this road trip and keep getting treatment, non-baseball activities. He’ll probably see the doctor during the week, see where we’re at, and we’ll go from there.”
Bradley scratched
Andrew Benintendi was supposed to get a day of rest on Sunday against Orioles lefty John Means. But that changed when center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. was taken out of the lineup a couple of hours before first pitch due to the flu.
Mookie Betts shifted to center field and J.D. Martinez, who was originally going to start in left field, moved to right.
Pedroia’s progress? Encouraging
Sunday marked Dustin Pedroia’s fourth start of the season since coming off the injured list earlier this week, and the first time he played on consecutive days. Cora had him in the DH spot.
Overall, the Red Sox are encouraged with how Pedroia looks after his prolonged rehab from a major left knee injury.
“He’s moving well,” Cora said. “I think the at-bats, he’s hitting the ball on the ground but at the same time, he’s been disciplined. Good at-bats, especially late in games. I think it’s more about repetitions, getting good at-bats and he’ll be fine, but he’s moving well at second.”
Pedroia made a vintage diving stop to his left during Saturday's 9-5 loss to take a hit away from Cedric Mullins.
“I went back to that play yesterday,” Cora said. “He took four steps for that ball, which is impressive. The one he made to the left, he was great, the double play. He was moving well. He’s moving really well.”