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After missing five consecutive games with what had been termed a “minor” side injury, Red Sox’ outfielder Mookie Betts was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Friday with an abdominal strain..
The Red Sox had been hopeful that he would be able to return at some point over the weekend, but Betts still felt soreness in his abdomen while taking swings on Friday. He admitted that the injury is improving and that he only feels it when he swings.
Betts also said that it’s something that he could play through if it was later in the season, but rather than risking further aggravation, it makes more sense to sit now and let it fully heal, rather than potentially putting himself in a position where he could miss extended time.
The move was made retroactive to May 29, so he’ll be eligible to return as early as June 8 if he’s ready to go by then. Betts is hopeful that he’ll be able to return on that day, but the Red Sox are going to continue to proceed with caution here.
Until then, the Red Sox and fantasy owners alike will have to get by without what has been perhaps the best all-around player in baseball to this point in the season. Betts is slashing an absurd 359/.437/.750 with 17 homers, 37 RBI and 13 stolen bases. That type of production can’t be made up off of the waiver wire.
He wasn't the only fixture of the Red Sox lineup heading back to the disabled list though. On Saturday, the club announced that second baseman Dustin Pedroia was heading back to the disabled list with renewed soreness in his surgically-repaired left knee.
Pedroia made his season debut on May 26, but played in just three games before continued knee soreness had to shut him down again. The 34-year-old went just 1-for-11 (.091) with a pair of walks in his three games. The Red Sox are going to take every possible precaution here not to risk further aggravation, so expect longer than the minimum stint on the disabled list. His already minimal fantasy value has dipped down to nothing with this news. He can be safely dropped in all but the deepest of redraft leagues.
