Red Sox to Activate Dustin Pedroia: Is he worth adding?

By Bill Pivetz | May 25, 2018

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 08: Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox reacts in the second inning against the Houston Astros during game three of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 8, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

The Red Sox are activating veteran second baseman Dustin Pedroia. With little depth at the position for fantasy, is he worth adding to your team?

The Boston Red Sox have a one-game lead over the New York Yankees. The offense is one of the top-10 offenses in the month of May. They are eighth in batting average, first in home runs and sixth in RBIs. The Red Sox will be adding another piece to the offense by activating Dustin Pedroia.

There have been a lot of injuries to the middle infield positions. The lack of availability for a replacement makes Pedroia worth getting a look. At 34 years old, is he worth adding to your fantasy team?

Pedroia hasn’t played a game this season as he recovered from offseason knee surgery in October. The surgery was expected to keep him away from baseball activities for seven months, which puts his return date around the end of May.

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Pedroia hasn’t been as healthy in recent years as he was earlier in his career. He’s played over 150 games in two of his last six seasons. However, even in those shortened seasons, Pedroia was still a productive hitter.

He finished last season with a .293 average with seven home runs, 62 RBIs and 49 runs scored in 105 games. He posted a .318/15 HR/74 RBI line in 154 games in the prior season.

Fantasy owners are already adding Pedroia before he’s even played a game this year. His ownership percentage is up 5.9 percent in ESPN leagues and nine percent in CBS Sports leagues. With Dee Gordon, DJ LeMahieu, Daniel Murphy, Paul DeJong, Joe Panik and a few others on the DL and Robinson Cano suspended for 80 games, there is a need for Pedroia.

Pedroia spent some time in Triple-A Pawtucket as he works off the rust. Though, he went 1-for-14 with three walks and three strikeouts.

With Mookie Betts and JD Martinez crushing the ball and Xander Bogaerts making good contact, Pedroia will join a solid Red Sox lineup. However, I do expect Pedroia to have a couple of rest days each week, still giving Eduardo Nunez and Brock Holt some playing time.

Next: Is Jesus Aguilar worth a roster spot?

Pedroia may not have double-digit power anymore but if he can hit close to 10 homers with a .280 batting average, fantasy owners should be happy with that. Just be aware that he won’t be playing six or seven days per week.

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