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Thursday Red Sox Lineup: Dustin Pedroia Returns

June 17, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) throws to first for an out against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field.  Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE
June 17, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) throws to first for an out against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

The worry over Dustin Pedroia--or at least that portion of it caused by his removal from Tuesday's game--was all for nothing! Just two days after aggravating his thumb injury, Dustin Pedroia is back in the lineup, batting second against Carlos Zambrano and the Miami Marlins.

What remains worrisome is Dustin Pedroia's performance since the initial injury. While fans never want to see a player like Pedroia go on the disabled list, the case could be made for Pedey, who's hitting just .170/.237/.226, and not even his tremendous defense can make up for that. Playing through the pain is only admirable when it does not detract from the team as a whole.

The good news is that Pedroia showed a few signs of life in his last couple of games, picking up three hits in eight at bats, including two doubles. Hopefully the day off doesn't serve to cool him down at all.

Otherwise, it's a pretty typical lineup for the Red Sox, with Will Middlebrooks getting the start at third and Kevin Youkilis riding the pine. One wonders how many more times we'll see Adrian Gonzalez in right now that the team is able to field a reasonably productive outfield again.


Lineup

BOSTON RED SOX MIAMI MARLINS
Daniel Nava, LF Jose Reyes, SS
Dustin Pedroia, 2B Hanley Ramirez, DH
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B Giancarlo Stanton, RF
David Ortiz, DH Logan Morrison, LF
Cody Ross, RF Greg Dobbs, 3B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C Omar Infante, 2B
Will Middlebrooks, 3B Scott Cousins, CF
Ryan Kalish, CF Gaby Sanchez, 1B
Mike Aviles, SS Brett Hayes, C