Dustin Pedroia 'Not Sure' If He'll Ever Play Again

Dustin Pedroia is stepping away from baseball and will evaluate whether his injured knee will allow him to ever play in the majors again. The Red Sox second baseman and franchise cornerstone, who has played in just five games the last two years, was placed on the 60-day injured list Monday.

"You don't know the end result and that part's hard," Pedroia said. "So that's why a little reflection right now, I need to re-evaluate, go home, chill out and see how everything responds."

Red Sox President of Baseball Operations said Pedroia was taking an "indefinite leave."

Pedroia, 35, earned the admiration of Red Sox Nation as he grinded his way to the 2007 Rookie of the Year Award and 2008 American League MVP. But he suffered a serious knee injury in 2017, necessitating cartilage replacement surgery.

"I'm not sure," Pedroia said when asked if he thinks he will play again.

Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona, in town with his Cleveland Indians, said Pedroia visited him Monday.

"I think he's in a pretty good place," Francona said "I think, I don't want to speak for him, but I think he knows he emptied his tank. He didn't leave any stone unturned. He probably gave more than he should, and his body is feeling it now. I don't think he has any regrets - nor should he."

Pedroia is set to make more than $40 million through 2021.