BOSTON — Dustin Pedroia was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right hamstring strain Thursday after the Boston Red Sox second baseman pulled up limping on a two-run single in the sixth inning of Wednesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park.
Infielder Deven Marrero was selected from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Pedroia’s roster spot.
“He’s the heart and soul of our team in the short description of it,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said about Pedroia. “The way he plays, what he means in the clubhouse, what he means on the field with his performance — probably having a career year to date.
“Hopefully, this is on the shorter end of the time missed.”
Pedroia, 31, has hit a team-best .306 with 34 runs, 14 doubles, nine home runs and 33 RBIs in 69 games this season.
Left fielder Hanley Ramirez also left Wednesday’s game after taking a line drive off the wrist while running to second base on a fifth-inning hit-and-run. Ramirez is officially listed as day-to-day.
Boston also made another notable roster move Thursday, optioning starting right-handed pitcher Joe Kelly to Triple-A Pawtucket. Kelly is 2-5 with a 5.67 ERA in 14 starts this season. Right-hander Justin Masterson takes his place in the starting rotation and will start Sunday.
Jonathan Aro, a right-handed pitcher, was selected from Pawtucket to take Kelly’s place.