Red Sox vs. White Sox: Dustin Pedroia returns, leads off

Dustin Pedroia's short absence is coming toan end, as John Farrell has his second baseman back in the lineup and leading off Wednesday night against the Chicago White Sox.

Boston Red Sox (5-9)

1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
2. Xander Bogaerts, SS
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Jonny Gomes, RF
5. Grady Sizemore, LF
6. A.J. Pierzynski, C
7. Daniel Nava, 1B
8. Ryan Roberts, 3B
9. Jackie Bradley Jr., CF

Starting Pitcher -- Clay Buchholz

Chicago White Sox (8-6)

1. Adam Eaton, CF
2. Marcus Semien, 2B
3. Conor Gillaspie, 3B
4. Jose Abreu, 1B
5. Adam Dunn, DH
6. Dayan Viciedo, RF
7. Alejandro De Azs, LF
8. Alexei Ramirez, SS
9. Adrian Nieto, C

Starting Pitcher -- John Danks

Mike Napoli is, as expected, absent from the lineup one day after dislocating his ring finger. Daniel Nava will take his place at first, which is not ideal given that the White Sox have a lefty in Danks on the mound. That lefty also explains Gomes' presence in the cleanup spot since, while he's not quite gotten up to full speed yet (who has on this team?), Gomes is still around to hit lefties, and hit them well. It's kind of what he does.

Really, the Red Sox just need some hope right about now. Hopefully Pedroia can provide that by showing his playing through injury is more in the vein of 2013 (when he was still largely effective) than 2012 (when he gritted his way through a month of awful performances only to eventually go on the disabled list). Right now they'll take all the help they can get, but the injured 2012 version of Pedroia would actually be more of a hindrance than anything else.

First pitch is at 8:10 p.m. with broadcasts on NESN and WEEI.