Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia will start the season on the injured list as he continues his recovery from a chronic left knee injury.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced the decision Monday, emphasizing that Pedroia has not experienced any setbacks from the injury that sidelined him for almost the entire 2018 season.
Pedroia told reporters that he is "ready for Opening Day" but understands why the Red Sox are taking a conservative approach. The defending World Series champions open their season March 28 in Seattle against the Mariners.
"They have had to hold me back.