Pedroia had cartilage restoration surgery on his left knee on October 25, 2017. The stated time to return to play was 7 months.

Pedroia’s knee has bothered him for years. He went on the disabled list twice during the 2017 season due to problems with the left knee. He had surgery to removed part of the left knee meniscus on October 13, 2016. The knee continued to bother him after surgery, many citing his age (he is 34) as contributing to the problem.

Cartilage restoration surgery is unusual. It is only considered for focal cartilage defects, not for the natural changes of age or the long-standing consequences of old injury (arthritis). Being active is good for the knee. Sports would only cause deterioration to the knee if there were specific injuries to the cartilage, meniscus, or supporting ligaments, or a fracture entering the joint.

He was cleared to being running again in January. He started playing with the Pawtucket Red Sox on May 14th. He returned to MLB on May 26th, exactly seven months after his restoration surgery.

This blog was created by Rachel Duncan and David Ring.