A cause for concern? by Jared Carrabis
Should Red Sox fans be concerned about Dustin Pedroia's injury lingering into 2011?


I hate to send any sense of panic amongst Red Sox Nation, but it's a fair question to ask: Should Red Sox fans be concerned with Dustin Pedroia's injury lingering into the 2011 season?

Just after New Year's Day, the Boston Herald’s John Tomase made a few predictions for the upcoming season, and the one that makes the most sense to me is when he predicted that someone on the Red Sox who suffered a major injury in 2010 – Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury, etc. – he predicted that their injury would linger into the 2011 season, and perhaps beyond.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, and keep in mind that I’m not doctor, but Pedroia realistically and historically has the best chance of that happening. Broken ribs will heal, and Youkilis’ injury was surgically repaired, and there are never usually lingering effects to what Boston’s third baseman did to his thumb.

However, Pedroia keeps referencing NBA stars Yao Ming and Grant Hill, who suffered similar injuries to their feet and were never the same afterwards. Pedroia also said that his recovery "didn't go as smoothly as he'd hoped" and that there had been "some surprises" on his road to recovery.

"In referencing his recovery, he cited Hill and Yao, two NBA stars whose careers were significantly altered by a similar injury, and noted that his injury is unusual because it was not a stress fracture but one caused by impact. Of course, playing second base isn't as physically taxing as running up and down an NBA court for 48 minutes, but to hear the usually brash Pedroia speaking cautiously about his recovery is more than enough reason for fans to be cautious, too."

New Balance has specially designed a cleat for Pedroia to prevent further damage to the area that the second baseman fractured last season, but has the damage already been done? Let's hope not.

-Jared Carrabis

Are you concerned that Dustin Pedroia's injury might linger into 2011?

Absolutely. That's a bad injury to come back from and the history shows it.I'm not worried. He'll be just fine and back on the All Star team in no time!I'm a little concerned, but let's see how spring training goes before we raise any concerns.

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Published on February 09, 2011

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