Boston Red Sox veteran second baseman Dustin Pedroia acknowledged Monday that he might not be able to play again following his latest setback with his ailing left knee.
“I’m at a point right now where I need some time. That’s what my status is,” Pedroia said at a press conference after he was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Asked if he’ll play again, Pedroia said, “I’m not sure.”
Pedroia, 35, was on a rehab assignment at Double-A Portland when he left Friday’s game with discomfort. He returned to Boston and was evaluated by the medical staff Monday.
He said he has not thought about retirement but will take an “indefinite break” from his rehab and return home after spending the next week with the team.
“My knee will never heal,” he said. “We’re taking the time right now to find out if I can play again.”
Pedroia played just three games with the Red Sox in 2018 and only six games so far in 2019. He last played for Boston on April 17 against the New York Yankees but felt a pop in his knee during that game.
He has two hits in 20 at-bats this season with the Red Sox. In 14 rehab games at three minor league stops, he batted .217 with one double and one RBI.
Pedroia, who had cartilage restoration surgery on his knee in October 2017, is a four-time All-Star. He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2007 and the Most Valuable Player the following season. He is a .299 career hitter with 394 doubles, 140 home runs and 725 RBIs.
He said he has ruled out further surgery.
“The last game I played, the pain was kind of to the point I had to tell the trainer I had to come out. It was a tough day,” he said. “Next day, I woke up and it wasn’t any better. It’s to a point now where my knee is not allowing me to play every day. …
“I just know that right now I need a break from the everyday stresses and dealing what I’m dealing with.”
The Red Sox announced two other transactions Monday.
Infielder Brock Holt was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and left-hander Darwinzon Hernandez was optioned to Double-A Portland.
Holt, 30, went on the IL on April 6 with a scratched cornea in his right eye. He is 1-for-16 in six games with the Red Sox this season.
Hernandez, 22, made his major league debut on April 23 and tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief against the Detroit Tigers. He allowed four hits and struck out four.