Pedroia rejoining Sox's lineup Friday
Second baseman won't play in any rehab games
BOSTON -- When the Red Sox play their first game after the All-Star break Friday night in Anaheim, Dustin Pedroia will be back at second base.
Pedroia was eligible to be activated this past Friday, but the Red Sox took a more conservative approach so that he could take all the time provided by the break.
The club decided not to have Pedroia play in Minor League rehab games leading up to his return Friday.
"The way he's feeling swinging the bat right now -- and I know it's BP and we've done some things in the cage to emulate a little bit more velocity -- we want him back in the lineup as soon as he's available," said Red Sox manager John Farrell.
Pedroia has been on the disabled list since June 25 with a right hamstring strain.
All-Star Brock Holt has been getting all the starts at second in Pedroia's absence.