Pedroia may be shut down, undergo surgery on left hand

BOSTON -- Experiencing soreness in his left hand and wrist, Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia could be shut down for the rest of the season, with surgery a definite possibility.

Boston manager John Farrell said Tuesday that Pedroia might not play again in 2014 due to increased inflammation in his left hand and wrist. Pedroia played Monday night and underwent an MRI test that indicated the inflammation.

"They're talking. There's some options that they're going over," Pedroia said Tuesday night after a 4-1 loss to Orioles. "Were trying to do the best we can to figure out a plan and go forward.

"Surgery is one of them. I could rest or continue to play or surgery. There's three things we could do. We'll come up with a plan the best we can that's best for the team."

Pedroia said a decision should come Wednesday, and if necessary, he'd have surgery as soon as possible.

He had an operation in November to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb and injured his left wrist in the home opener.

"It's kind of the wrist. Your thumb moves the area. I felt it early in the year. I got taken out at second. It's been pretty inflamed. We've tried to manage it the best we can," Pedroia said. "It just gets to a point where obviously it hurts so it's tough going out there and trying to do what you're accustomed to doing and you can't. I will soon."

The second baseman said that the aggravation has come from the general wear and tear of a season.

"I fall down a lot, I dive around and do things," he said. "It was just unfortunate when it happened. I was still rehabbing from my thumb surgery and I just kind of fell awkwardly and that area got pretty inflamed. We've tried to manage it the best we can and just get through it."

The injury's had a noticeable effect on Pedroia's numbers. He's hitting .278 with seven home runs and 53 RBIs in 134 games.

"That's a lot of it. You don't have your hand strength, you're not able to follow through like you normally do," Pedroia said. "It makes it tough, but you've got to try to find ways in other areas to help your team win."

Jemile Weeks started in place of Pedroia on Tuesday, hitting eighth.

"It's just to the point where the discomfort is there. We're taking some time now to just gather all the information and lay out the best plan going forward for him," Farrell said. "His long-term health is the most important thing. That will always be kept in the forefront."