Report: Dustin Pedroia expected to return today for Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is expected to return Tuesday from a thumb injury. (Gail Oskin/Getty Images)

After missing six games with thumb injury some feared would keep him out for a month, Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia will return to the lineup Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles, reports WEEI‘s Rob Bradford.

Pedroia has been out since hurting his right thumb on May 28 against the Detroit Tigers. After an MRI, his injury was diagnosed as a slight tear in his adductor muscle. Bradford reports Pedroia had initially injured the thumb nearly a month earlier, but there was no structural damage apparent in X-rays at the time.

Pedroia is hitting .295 with five home runs this season. Boston is tied for last in the AL East but is still only three games back of the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays, so the team could use the lift from Pedroia’s return. The second baseman has been to three All-Star games and won the 2008 MVP award.