Pedroia, Victorino progressing well

BOSTON -- The two starting position players who underwent surgery after the World Series are both progressing well, albeit at different speeds.

Dustin Pedroia is a little bit ahead of Shane Victorino in the rehab department, but both players are expected to be in the starting lineup when the Red Sox open their season in Baltimore on March 31.

Pedroia underwent surgery to repair a left thumb injury.

"I know Dustin has already begun dry swings, and he feels strong and feels stable," said manager John Farrell. "He feels that stability throughout the entire swing. Granted, it's dry swings, but he's right on track as far as all baseball activity relates to coming out of the surgery. We fully expect him to be ready to go Opening Day."

As for Victorino, who had nerve surgery on his right thumb?

"He's a little bit further behind Dustin in terms of the time frame of baseball activities," said Farrell. "He's about two weeks away from putting a ball in his hand and starting to throw. We'll take every available day in Spring Training. He'll be on the field when he's fully ready."