FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Dustin Pedroia's goal isn't merely to come back from his knee injury.
He's done that before.
The challenge for the Boston second baseman this time is to return at the right time, to stick around longer than three games, and to help the Red Sox get back to the World Series with his play, instead of by cheering them on from the dugout.
"The human body is on its own program, man," Pedroia said after working out with the other infielders on Thursday, a day before the defending champions open their exhibition schedule against Northeastern University.