Boston Red Sox Injuries: Dustin Pedroia

Star Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is eyeing a return on Tuesday after taking two good rounds of batting practice yesterday. He was wearing a molded plastic brace under his right batting glove to protect the torn muscle in his right thumb.

Manager Bobby Valentine is being cautious at this point, but Pedroia said he feels ready. If there is no swelling, expect the defensive wizard to be back in the line-up Tuesday, as the Red Sox have an off day tomorrow.

No matter how important Dustin Pedroia is, the Boston Red Sox outfield has been the position hit the hardest by injuries of any unit in baseball. Carl Crawford might be able to start throwing at the end of the week, as the former Tampa Bay Rays star LF has been hitting for the past ten days. Crawford is expected to return in July if there are no setbacks, but there is no clear time table for his return. Being able to throw without setbacks is going to be a big test ahead for the speedy outfielder, so watch closely for what happens with this development.

When he comes back from his thumb injury, Andrew Bailey is expected to be the closer for the Boston Red Sox. Although Alfredo Aceves has calmed down and saved 14 games, Bailey is a much better pitcher and Aceves wouldn’t be closing for most other teams in the Majors.

Bailey is now playing catch at 90 feet, but the problem is that he hasn’t been cleared to throw off of a mound. There is no indication as to when the electrifying reliever will be able to take this important step, but Boston is hoping that he will be back around the All-Star break. Bailey will be a key piece to this team, as the bullpen is an area of weakness for the Sox.

Follow Joe Soriano on Twitter here. Check out BoSox Injection for all your Boston Red Sox news and views.