Injuries everywhere for Red Sox.

Boston Red Sox second baseman and 2008 American League MVP, Dustin Pedroia was sent home from Team USA at the World Baseball Classic on Saturday. On Sunday, he spoke to the media and downplayed his injury. He sent out a message to the Red Sox Nation: “Tell them to calm down. We’ll handle this. We’ll be all right.” On Saturday night, Pedroia was examined by team medical director, Dr. Thomas Gill. It was originally believed that Dustin had a strained left oblique, which is a slow healing injury. However, Dr. Gill said it was a strained left abdominal muscle. Red Sox manger said he was encouraged with the diagnosis, sand they they will give him whatever he needs and will let him slowly come back. Everyone at the Boston Red Sox organization was worried it was an oblique and breathed a sigh of relief when they learned it was nothing major.

Pedroia told the media that he tried to swing a bat before the press conference and that he felt some pain. He was told by the hitting coach not to do anything else and to take it easy. Dustin said he wasn’t concerned with the pain but wasn’t sure on when he’d be back and playing. Everyone is taking a cautious approach to the injury. Francona said “We don’t need him on the field for the next 3 or 4 days, so we’ll get him completely healthy and then we’ll get him back on the field.” Since Dustin has left Team USA, he is no longer eligible to play in the World Baseball Classic. Francona and Epstein do not blame the injury on the WBC. They both have said that it could have happened in the batting cages.

However, Pedroia’s double play partner, shortstop Julio Lugo is expected to h ave surgery on his knee Tuesday in Boston. Lugo played one inning in the field against the Yankees on Friday night before being removed from the lineup and sent for an MRI on his right knee. General Manger of the Red Sox, Theo Epstein says that Lugo could have a tear in the meniscus cartilage. Doctors will know how long Lugo will be out once they go in on Tuesday. Usually its 3-4 weeks.

Also sidelined with an injury is Outfield Jonathan Van Every. He has been sidelined since suffering a sprained ankle Thursday against the Cardinals. He is still pretty sore, and bruised. Trainers believe it will be a couple of more days before Van Every is back on the field.

Look on the bright side, at least the injuries are happening now instead of at the start of the season. Plus, the Red Sox beat the Yankees on Friday night. Only 21 more days til Red Sox Opening Day. The Red Sox will be taking on the 2008 American League Champions Tampa Bay Rays. First pitch is at 2:05pm eastern time and can be seen on the MLB Network.