Pedroia, Papi sit for Red Sox on rainy night
Boston taking caution with 'wet grounds' in Cleveland
CLEVELAND -- Dustin Pedroia worked hard to recover from the right hamstring that cost him a couple of months, so the Red Sox aren't going to take any chance of re-injury this close to the finish line.
Roughly 45 minutes before the start of Saturday's game against the Indians, Pedroia was scratched from the lineup due to "wet grounds," a team spokesperson announced. The scheduled 7:10 ET start was delayed by rain.
Josh Rutledge filled in at second base.
Pedroia has performed well since his return from the disabled list on Sept. 8, hitting .320 with three homers and eight RBIs.
David Ortiz also got the night off after belting homer No. 37 on Friday. The slugger has had general soreness that has limited his playing time over the final week of the season. Interim manager Torey Lovullo didn't rule Ortiz out for the season finale on Sunday.
Video: BOS@CLE: Ortiz hits homer No. 503 to cut lead in half
Don't look for catcher Ryan Hanigan to play again this season. The veteran has been bothered by right hand soreness and hasn't been on the field since Sept. 24. Hanigan fractured that hand on May 1 against the Yankees.