Boston’s Pedroia could be activated for home opener

PHOENIX (AP) — Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia could be activated for Tuesday’s home opener against Toronto.

Pedroia, the 2008 AL MVP, has been slowed since a slide into his surgically repaired left knee at second base by Baltimore’s Manny Machado on April 21, 2017. Pedroia had left knee surgery on Oct. 25, 2017, and was limited to three big league games in 2018, from May 26-29.

He played on Thursday and Friday for Class A Greenville, going 3 for 5 with a double and a walk, and was to play nine innings for the Drive on Sunday. Manager Alex Cora said the 35-year-old is to meet the Red Sox in Boston after the opening 11-game trip.

Eduardo Nunez started at second base, a day after Brock Holt was put on the injured list due to a scratched cornea in his right eye. Holt said he was hurt when his 2-year-old son Griff poked him in the eye on March 28.

“It was the morning of opening day,” Holt told reporters. “I went up and got Griff out of bed, and one of his fingernails got me good. It’s not funny, but it is funny.”