HOUSTON -- In a concerning development, the Red Sox placed veteran second baseman Dustin Pedroia back on the 10-day disabled list on Saturday due to inflammation in his surgically repaired left knee, making the move retroactive to Wednesday.
Pedroia, who had major surgery on his left knee last October, was activated on May 25 and started three games before suffering a setback.
To replace Pedroia and Mookie Betts (who went on the DL Friday) on the roster, the Red Sox recalled first baseman Sam Travis and lefty reliever Bobby Poyner from Triple-A Pawtucket prior to Saturday's game.
Originally in the lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Astros, Pedroia had enough discomfort that he had to be scratched just minutes before the start of the game. There wasn't enough improvement for Pedroia to play on Friday, and the decision came on Saturday to shut him down.
"He wasn't able to bounce back yesterday, and I think it's a smart thing to do," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday. "I know he's a little frustrated. It is what it is. It was major surgery. Hopefully, he comes back sooner rather than later, and he'll be out there. Like I said before, I'm going to take care of him anyways.
"This is not only for now, but this is for the long run. Obviously, we have our goals to play in October, and we want him to continue performing at a high level. And I think this is very important for him. Just stay away from him now, get him ready and be back soon."
The earliest Pedroia can play again is on June 9 at home against the White Sox, but it's too soon to say if he'll be ready by then.
"We'll see," said Cora. "We can't [project that] right now. We thought he was going to be healthy and stay through the season. Now we don't know. But hopefully he's back."
Pedroia, who went 1-for-11 in his three starts, will fly back to Boston ahead of the team on Sunday.
"He's actually flying tomorrow and getting some treatment on Monday, and then we'll decide if he has to go back to New York to see the doctor," said Cora. "Most likely that'll be the case during the week and we'll go from there."
Eduardo Nunez and Brock Holt will share time at second base while Pedroia is out. Nunez started on Saturday.
Cora said the Red Sox have no regrets about the decision to part ways with Hanley Ramirez the same day Pedroia was activated last week.
"I don't think so," Cora said. "I think actually versatility-wise, we're good right now. Like I said, with the player, he's a good player. But as far as the roster right now, I'm glad we have Nunez, we have Holt, Sam can play the outfield, he can play first, J.D. [Martinez] can play the outfield. Versatility-wise, we're good right now."
Swihart to catch next week
Blake Swihart, who has been used at designated hitter, first base and the outfield this season, will make his first start behind the plate at some point during next week's three-game series at home against the Tigers. The Red Sox, who have three long relievers in the bullpen, are planning on going with a "bullpen game" during one of those games, and that will likely be when Swihart catches.
Swihart came up as a catcher, but the Red Sox have been going with Sandy Leon and Christian Vazquez behind the plate.