TORONTO -- Second baseman Dustin Pedroia continues to make progress on his road back to the Red Sox lineup, and he's expected to play with Triple-A Pawtucket on either Monday or Tuesday.
Before the Red Sox's series opener against the Blue Jays on Friday, manager Alex Cora said Pedroia took seven at-bats earlier in the day in extended spring training.
"He feels like he's getting closer," Cora said. "All the soreness from Spring Training is almost gone, so we feel comfortable."
Pedroia also got some defensive work in, and Cora said the four-time American League All-Star will return to the lineup as a second baseman, with no need for him at designated hitter.