Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia sent home with flu-like symptoms

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia was sent him on Sunday -- his 31st birthday -- with flu-like symptoms, hours before Boston got ready to play its series finale at Fenway vs. the Astros, according to Steve Petrella of MLB.com.

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia was sent home on Sunday -- his 31st birthday -- with flu-like symptoms, hours before Boston played its series finale at Fenway vs. the Astros, according to Steve Petrella of MLB.com.

In his absence, Brock Holt played second base.

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Manager John Farrell said the four-time All-Star was feeling the symptoms during Saturday night's 10-7 win vs. Houston and the cold worsened overnight to the point that he wasn't able to go on Sunday. He's been seen by doctors and received antibiotics. Farrell said he hopes the cold is short-lived. 

The last-minute scratch was his fourth missed game this season. On the year, he's batting .284 for the Red Sox, who found themselves fifth in the AL East heading into the final game vs. Houston on Sunday. 

- Marc Weinreich