FORT MYERS, Fla. — He broke his left foot, tried in vain to make a comeback, had surgery, and then went through a long and arduous rehabilitation.
The last seven months have been trying ones for Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, the toughest challenge of his career.
Some athletes might be humbled by such an experience, or at least step back and gain perspective on how fleeting and fragile success can be.
Then there’s Pedroia.
He arrived at spring training yesterday and took his turn in the batting cage. After dropping down two bunts, Pedroia lined a ball hard up the middle.
“Woooooooo!’’ he shouted. “Did you see that?’’
Break out the earplugs, Pedey is back.
Confidence clearly will not be an issue as Pedroia returns. Nor will a broken navicular bone that is held together by a screw, or so he claims. During an eight-minute interview with reporters, Pedroia said he felt “great’’ seven times.
The Red Sox will be cautious with their All-Star spark plug nonetheless. Pedroia already has been excused from next week’s conditioning test because it includes a 300-yard shuttle run. Manager Terry Francona also plans to restrict how often Pedroia plays during the exhibition season.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,’’ Pedroia said. “[But] whatever they have planned for me, I’m ready to do.’’
Pedroia did acknowledge it took longer than expected for him to reach the point where he was free of discomfort.
“Some of the things I was trying to do weren’t the right things to do. But we found a way to make me feel strong and I feel great right now,’’ he said. “I’m just trying to get everything working together. If one part of my leg isn’t firing, it’s going to affect my foot. We kind of figured out what my problem was. The last three weeks I’ve felt great.’’
He has since taken grounders, turned double plays, and run the bases. The only activity not allowed is distance running.
“I’ve done everything. I’m ready to go,’’ Pedroia said. “My foot’s repaired . . . There’s not going to be any setbacks.’’
The injury did force Pedroia to learn the value of patience. After his aborted comeback, the only solution was surgery and months in a cast.
“It’s been tough. I try and set little goals, stuff like that. The other day was my last workout and I was kind of excited,’’ he said. “I’ve put in a lot of hard work. I’m ready for it to show on the field.’’
There will be one constant reminder of what he went through. Pedroia was injured when he fouled a ball off his foot, and to guard against that happening again he will wear a custom-made guard that wraps around his spikes. He will wear it this season and possibly for the remainder of his career.
