By Peter Abraham and Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff

NEW YORK — Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia will return to Boston tomorrow to have his right knee examined and is facing the possibility of surgery that would sideline him for at least a month.

Pedroia was injured May 16 when he fell on his knee fielding a ball against the Orioles. He described the procedure, which will be done at Massachusetts General Hospital, as a "needle with a camera on it" that will determine the extent of the damage.

If necessary, Pedroia then would have the surgery immediately.

"It could keep me out a month," he said. "It's not what I want. But I have to get it checked out. It's been bothering me a lot."

Pedroia's lack of production at the plate is likely attributable to his knee and surgically repaired left foot.

"It's hard to hit with something wrong with your legs," he said. "I've been trying."

Pedroia is hitting .247 with a .338 on-base percentage. If he is placed on the disabled list, the Red Sox could use Jed Lowrie at second base and Marco Scutaro at shortstop. Drew Sutton also has experience at second base.

Pedroia was injured on the first play of the game May 16 when Brian Roberts hit a ball off the chest of Daisuke Matsuzaka. He fielded the ball and landed on his knee.

"I banged it hard and it has been bothering me ever since," he said.

In other injury news, Lowrie (left shoulder) has been cleared to play and is expected to return to the lineup tomorrow.