Former AL MVP Announces 'Indefinite Leave' from Baseball

By The Wildcard May 27, 2019 at 11:11am

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia will take an “indefinite leave” in his long struggle to recover from knee trouble.

The move raises doubts about whether he’ll ever play again in the majors.

The Red Sox put the longtime star on the 60-day injured list Monday.

Prior to today’s game against Cleveland, the Boston #RedSox announced the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/tB1IcRuCjS

— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) May 27, 2019

The 35-year-old Pedroia has tried for a season-and-half to fully return from surgery on his left knee.

At a news conference at Fenway Park, Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski called it an “indefinite leave at this point.”

Dustin Pedroia on the harsh reality of his chronic knee injury and his future with the #redsox. https://t.co/CRukEiNRjn pic.twitter.com/REOLvYOHUF

— NESN (@NESN) May 27, 2019

Pedroia said “time will give me the right answer if my knee can do this.”

The 2008 AL MVP had surgery on Oct. 25, 2017, and played in just three games last season.

Dombrowski says that Dustin Pedroia deserves as much respect as David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez in the Red Sox Organization. AL MVP, AL ROTY, 3x WS Champion, 4x All Star, AL Silver Slugger.

— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) May 27, 2019

This year, he’s played in only six games, getting two singles in 20 at-bats.

Pedroia reaggravated his left knee in a game at Yankee Stadium on April 17 and was put on the 10-day IL with left knee irritation.

He’s started and stopped rehab assignments a few times before he removed himself from a game at Double-A Portland last Friday due to soreness.

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

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