Dustin Pedroia makes his return to the Boston Red Sox lineup in time for the start of a quick two-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Right-handed reliever Blaine Boyer has been placed on the disabled list with a neck strain to clear a roster spot for Pedroia.
His latest stint on the disabled list lasted the minimum 10 days, which ended up costing Pedroia only eight games due to a scheduled off day and a rain out last week. Boston won seven of those eight games without Pedroia, while averaging 6.