BOSTON -- Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is day to day with a sore left knee that has ailed him for a majority of the season. Pedroia, who had knee surgery in the offseason, was scratched from the starting lineup hours before Saturday night's 9-8 walk-off win in 10 innings against the Royals.
"The left knee gets irritated with some volume, extensive volume, and as that flares up, we've got to monitor it," manager John Farrell said. "Expose it to additional treatment and just be cautious of recovery time. That's where we are."
The toll on Pedroia's knee has been increased since the All-Star break. The Red Sox have participated in four extra-inning games since the Midsummer Classic, and Pedroia played in three of them.
"It's been a number of four- and five-hour games," Farrell said. "It's volume related. As he's swung the bat well, as he's had a number of extra-base hits, as he's been on his feet for that length of time, this is where that cumulative effect is starting to rear its head."
Pedroia aggravated his knee in late April during Orioles third baseman Manny Machado's slide into Pedroia on the basepath, and once again when Pedroia left a May 26 game against the Rangers with pain in his left leg.
The acquisition of utility infielder Eduardo Nunez on Wednesday gives Farrell more options when Pedroia needs to rest.
However, Farrell said Nunez was not acquired in a deal with the Giants solely because of Pedroia's health.
"It was a factor, but I can't say it was a primary factor," Farrell said. "But we were looking to add some offense. ... A veteran presence that has that defensive versatility and the offense. ... That was the main reason."