Pedroia, Uehara to avoid DL stints

BOSTON -- The Red Sox had a highly encouraging off-day on Monday, when they learned that two of their most important players are all but certain to avoid stints on the disabled list.

An MRI on All-Star second baseman Dustin Pedroia revealed no fracture in his ailing left wrist, but merely inflammation. He is day to day and will join the Red Sox in Chicago for the start of a three-game series against the White Sox on Tuesday.

Closer Koji Uehara also got good news, as an MRI on his right shoulder revealed no structural damage. Uehara didn't pitch in the four-game series in New York over the weekend and is also day to day. He will also rejoin the club in Chicago.

Pedroia has experienced soreness in his left wrist since he was taken out on a slide at second base in a series against the Brewers the weekend of April 4-6.

Normally one of the top hitters in the American League, Pedroia has just six hits in his past 40 at-bats.

The Red Sox are off to a 5-8 start, but they should be able to better rebound with Pedroia in the lineup and Uehara in the bullpen.

"Hopefully, Pedroia is all right, and we get him back in the lineup just to kind of find our identity and who we are," first baseman Mike Napoli said after Sunday night's 3-2 loss to the Yankees.

Right fielder Shane Victorino, a cornerstone player from the 2013 World Series champions, will take a step closer to making his '14 debut when he starts a Minor League rehab assignment at some point this week. Victorino is on the disabled list with a right hamstring strain.