TORONTO — Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia ran at full speed Tuesday and could begin a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend.
Pedroia is expected to work out again today, including making some cuts when he runs, and run again Thursday before visiting a doctor Friday in Boston.
“I’d say he was close to 100 percent speed-wise,” manager Terry Francona said. “There was no limp; there was no favoring it. He had that little burst. It was very exciting.”
If all goes well, Pedroia will play at least two rehab games at Triple-A Pawtucket this weekend and could return to Boston’s lineup for an Aug. 17 game against the Angels.
Catcher Jason Varitek, who broke a bone when he fouled a ball off his right foot June 30, also ran and is about seven to 10 days behind Pedroia, Francona said.
Kinsler’s return delayed
ARLINGTON, Texas — Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler still has inflammation in his left groin area and is at least another week from swinging a bat.
While Kinsler is eligible to come off the disabled list Thursday, general manager Jon Daniels said it likely will be at least the end of the month before he is back in the lineup.
Footnotes.
As the Yankees began a two-game series at Texas, first baseman Mark Teixeira remained home in the New York area after his wife gave birth to the couple’s third child, a boy.
• Third baseman Chipper Jones sprained his left knee fielding a ground ball in the sixth inning of Atlanta’s game against the Astros. He will have an MRI on Thursday. Also, right fielder Jason Heyward is day to day because of a sore right knee.
• Brewers outfielders Corey Hart (back) and Ryan Braun (wrist) are day to day because of injuries.
• White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham (groin) expects to be back in the lineup tonight against the Twins after being held out for a second consecutive game.
• Blue Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow will get extra rest before his next start after throwing a career-high 137 pitches Sunday against the Rays.
The Associated Press
