Pedroia returns, to make ’19 debut for Red Sox

Pedro Gomez examines the Red Sox’s slow start to the 2019 season as they look to turn it around in their home opener against the Blue Jays. (2:22)

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who played in only three games last season due to an ongoing knee injury, has been activated off the injured list and will start in the team’s home opener Tuesday, the team announced.

The Red Sox are schedule to raise their championship banner prior to Tuesday’s home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays. Pedroia will hit seventh in the batting order.

Pedroia, 35, the 2008 AL MVP, has been slowed since a slide into his surgically repaired left knee at second base by Baltimore’s Manny Machado on April 21, 2017. Pedroia had left knee surgery on Oct. 25, 2017, and was limited to three big-league games in 2018, from May 26 to May 29.

The four-time Gold Glove winner is the longest tenured player on the Red Sox roster.

Brock Holt, who was poked in the eye by his 2-year-old son, Griff, was put on the injured list due to a scratched right cornea.

To make room on the roster, the Red Sox optioned infielder Tzu-Wei Lin to Triple-A Pawtucket.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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