A few things....

BALTIMORE - Dustin Pedroia is getting a breather tonight with Alex Cora filling in at second base.

Pedroia has not started two other games, but was able to get into both of them and was hoping to get into tonight's game as well.

Pedroia has made a some sensational plays on this trip and this season, often throwing his body on the infield dirt. Terry Francona, who returned from his one-day absence to attend his daughter's graduation, said that he thought Pedroia could use a day because he thought he was "beat up" from all of his tough play.

Asked if was hoping to play all 162, Pedroia said, "Absolutely. I love playing every day. I always want to be in there."

Francona was still awaiting word on results of David Ortiz' MRI and examination by Dr. Thomas Gill. Francona didn't want to say too much and offered there wasn't much to say or speculate on until he knew. He said he's talked to Ortiz the last couple of days and feels Ortiz had had a wide range of emotions to being a little worried to feeling the left wrist felt well enough to go with.

Francona said Ortiz' absence would allow the team to use Manny Ramirez as a DH. Ramirez has been battling a hamstring issue so not being out in the field should help the cause and still keep Ramirez' bat in the lineup. It also will allow the Sox to use a better defensive outfield with Jacoby Ellsbury-Coco Crisp- J.D. Drew.

Justin Masterson will come up and pitch tomorrow night's game vs. Tampa Bay at Fenway. The Sox will wait on Ortiz' condition to announce a move. If Ortiz does not go on the DL, it looks as if Jeff Bailey would be the player sent back to Pawtucket.