Francona said he's comfortable with Dustin Pedroia as the team's starting second baseman: "At some point you have to play your young players. I have no problem with that." Francona said that the team won't be changing Pedroia's upper-cut swing, feeling that's how Pedroia hits best. He also said while some scouts have questions about Pedroia's physical presence, "his mental attributes are off the charts."