Pedroia expects to be ready for Opening Day

BOSTON --- Second baseman Dustin Pedroia was back in a Red Sox uniform Tuesday, albeit wearing a cast on his left wrist as he watched batting practice from the outfield. He underwent successful surgery nearly two weeks ago to repair a wrist issue that hampered him for much of the season, and wasn't with the team during its 11-game road trip.

Pedroia will need two months to recover and said Tuesday he'll be more than ready for the start of 2015. The 31-year-old has undergone procedures in each of the last two offseasons, but said because this surgery took place before this season ended, he'll be able to have a fairly regular offseason of workouts. Pedroia was still rehabbing when this season began after having surgery on a torn ligament in his left thumb in November 2013.

"It's nothing like the last offseason," Pedroia said. "So I'm pretty excited about it."

Pedroia will begin strengthening his wrist following the removal of his soft cast, which the team hopes is after this weekend.

"Pedey has quickly gotten full range of motion in the thumb. And he's still in the early stages of recovery and rehab, but everything he has experienced has been positive," manager John Farrell said.